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Comparing File Content Of 2 Folders on Windows 10

Anonymous
2021-01-17T10:15:41+00:00

Hi

I've got 2 folders of family photos, 1 on my pc drive and the backup on an external drive.

There's a difference of 11 between the 2 folders and I want to know which is correct, i.e. i don't want to assume the lower number is correct and lose 11 family pics!

Trouble is, there are hundreds of sub-folders containing about 25k files.  

Is there some way of comparing the 2 folders and having the software highlight the missing/extra files?

Thanks in advance.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. DaveM121 871.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-01-17T10:49:53+00:00

    Hi jghomer123

    I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this . . .

    There is a good free and safe utility available online named WinMerge that you can use to compare those two parent folders, it will list the differences between those two folders for you and show you the names of files that are in one folder, and not in the other . . .

    60+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. DaveM121 871.3K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2021-01-17T17:36:12+00:00

    Okay jghomer123, there is no functionality in Windows to find the difference between two folders, you will need to use some 3rd party utility . . .

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2021-01-17T18:27:16+00:00

    So the 2 folders for comparison would be : 

    d:\pics\family

    and

    f:\pics\family

    Please post again if the tool mentioned by Dave is not suitable.

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2021-01-17T17:26:56+00:00

    Hi

    So the 2 folders for comparison would be : 

    d:\pics\family

    and

    f:\pics\family

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2021-01-17T10:31:38+00:00

    What are the exact names of these folders? e.g.

    C:\Users\Jack\Pictures\Family

    and

    K:\Backup\Family

    5 people found this answer helpful.
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