Free file comparison utilities

[XnTriq]

• Brother Technology: AptDiff
  Visual text/binary files comparison and merging utility.
• ComponentSoftware: CSDiff
  ComponentSoftware Diff (CSDiff) is a free advanced file difference analysis tool for Windows. Use it to analyze what changes have been made between two revisions of the same file, folder or archived folder. CSDiff is commonly used to analyze program source files, HTML documents and MS-Word documents.
• cyberpromote: DiffDaff
  DiffDaff is a free utility that enables a direct comparison between two files, folders, or web sites and shows the differences line by line. The variations are classified as changes, deleted, non-existing, and identical content. The variations are also color marked. The DiffDaff tool enables parallel scrolling through the results, line numeration, and many other features that facilitate the work and simplify locating the differences.
• SourceGear: DiffMerge
  DiffMerge is an application to visually compare and merge files for Windows, Mac OS X and Unix.
• PrestoSoft: ExamDiff
  ExamDiff is a freeware Windows tool to visually compare text files. It offers a quick, intuitive, and powerful way to keep your files in sync.
• SourceForge.net: WinMerge
  WinMerge is an Open Source differencing and merging tool for Windows. WinMerge can compare both folders and files, presenting differences in a visual text format that is easy to understand and handle.
• Microsoft: WinDiff
  The WinDiff utility (WINDIFF.EXE) graphically compares the contents of two files or two directories. With WinDiff, you can compare and modify the contents of files and directories using a graphical Windows interface.
  • v5.2.3790.0 (via Grig Software)
  • v5.2.3790.0 (via Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 32-bit Support Tools)
    WindowsServer2003-KB892777-SupportTools-x86-ENU.exe\support.cab\windiff.exe + windiff.hlp + gutils.dll
  • v5.1.2455.0 (via Windows XP Service Pack 2 Support Tools)
    WindowsXP-KB838079-SupportTools-ENU.exe\support.cab\windiff.exe + windiff.hlp + gutils.dll
  • v4.0.1381.1 (via Windows NT 4.0 Resource Kit Support Tools)
    sp4rk_i386.Exe\sp4rkx86.cab\STORMGMT_FILETOOL_windiff.exe + STORMGMT_FILETOOL_windiff.hlp + STORMGMT_FILETOOL_gutils.dll
  • v3.10.497.1 (via Windows NT 3.1 Resource Kit)
    RESKIT.EXE\WINDIFF.EXE + GUTILS.DLL

• Sergey Zorin: diff-ext
  This shell extension (diff-ext) makes it possible to launch file comparison tool for 2 or 3 files (depending on the tool) in the same directory or “save” a file(s) for later comparison. It acts as external most recent used (MRU) file list for the comparison tool.
• CodeProject
  • A better front end to WinDiff (» Softpedia)
    A GUI front end to a handy utility
  • WinDiff Visual Studio Add-in
    A Visual Studio Add-in that allows the current file, or it's containing folder to be compared using WinDiff
  • Windiff Helper Tool
    A tool for effective usage of Windiff
  • WinDiff (or WinMerge), the way you want it!
    A shortcut menu extension (and drag drop menu extension) that makes it eaiser to use WinDiff
  • Integrate windiff in explorer
    Integrate windiff in the context menu of windows explorer

[helmut]

WinMerge is really a good diff tool with
- helpful diff options (e.g. ignore upper/lower case, ignore blanks)
- useful functionality (e.g. merge all, inline diff, graphical overview of differences)
- good user interface (e.g. drag & drop of file names and paths to the file dialog).

[XnTriq]

• Angus Johnson: TextDiff
  TextDiff is a simple file management tool that was designed to help you compare two text files, or two diferent folders.
• Jan Fiala: PsPad » Text compare with differences highlighted
  Settings » Program Settings... » System integration » Register in System context menu » Show item: PsPad TextDiff

[marsh]

• Diffuse: "graphical tool for merging and comparing text files" (linux/win32)