TreeCompare, Compare Files In Two Directories

Martin Brinkmann
Aug 3, 2010
Updated • Sep 18, 2019
Software, Windows, Windows software
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Comparing files in directories can sometimes be a powerful tool to determine if data has been changed without the owner's consent. A webmaster could for instance compare a backup with the data on a hacked web server to determine which files have been modified by the attacker.

But it is not only webmasters who may make use of a software like TreeCompare. Developers, writers, artists or system administrators may also find it useful to compare files under certain circumstances.

Last but not least, it may also be useful for backup integrity checks and any other form of integrity check.

TreeCompare

compare files
compare files

TreeCompare has just been designed for that purpose. The free portable program for Windows compares the files of two selected root directories, including files in subfolders; and it is just above 30 Kilobytes in size.

The two directories have to be selected in the beginning. This is done with the file browser, a click on compare will compare the files of the directories. Each unique file is displayed in its own row in the program. The columns path one and path two specify if the file exists in directory one or two. The description column lists if the files are identical or different.

TreeCompare compares several parameters that are divided into the categories attributes, times and miscellaneous. Parameters can be edited in the options so that only relevant comparisons are made.

The following parameters can be added or removed from the comparison:

  • Attributes: Archive, Hidden, Read Only, System
  • Times: Access, Creation, Modification
  • Miscellaneous: File Size, Binary Compare
tree compare
tree compare

Users may select different parameters for files and directories in the settings.

The software lacks the option to display the differences in detail and there is also no option to open the file in an editor, or the directory in Windows Explorer to investigate the differences further. Also, an option to filter results, e.g. to hide all matches, would be very useful as well but is sadly missing.

Closing Words

TreeCompare is a lightweight (33K) tool for Windows that may come in handy for quick directory comparisons. Users who need additional information should take a look at Winmerge instead.

Summary
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Software Name
TreeCompare
Operating System
Windows
Software Category
Productivity
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Comments

  1. Lucas Reece said on August 5, 2010 at 7:37 pm
    Reply

    You might also try Directory Compare…
    http://tp.lc.ehu.es/jma/win32/dirco.html.

  2. croote said on August 4, 2010 at 7:43 am
    Reply

    Hi,
    Your blog is great ! Thks for such a good job.
    What about freefilsync which can be launch on win or linux?
    Bye

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