Looking for File Compare utility.

[Dr. Bob]

I am looking for a nice free file compare utility which I can use when I move/copy folders or entire logical drives to check whether the copied files are indeed identical before I delete the original ones. The utility I have been using for this is getting a bit old. It chokes on files larger than 2GB for instance.

I am looking for something that somehow allows me to define two file paths ending with \*.* which I can change to \*.doc or \*.mp3 if I want and which gives some "Also include subfolders" check option. Some slightly more advanced option to uncheck individual folders like the 'Recycled' and 'System Volume Information' folders when comparing entire logical drives would be useful additions because you know these will (very soon) be different.

I have been looking but the search results give a lot of unwanted 'clutter'. This is becoming a general nuisance when searching in my experience. I have posted another thread about this.

[jdc2000]

Which utility are you currently using? What version of Windows are you using? Windows XP has SyncToy, and SyncBack is another option.

[Dr. Bob]

I'm not looking for a synchronisation utility. I don't want it to copy any files. Just check whether they are identical and report if they are different. I currently use UwiSoft File Compare which is almost ten years old but still works well in most cases (in XP too) but as I said it can't handle large files. It's home page is long gone and it doesn't seem to be supported anymore by its maker.

I'm looking for something similar that is a bit more up to date and preferably has the option to exclude such directories as I mentioned for the obvious reason that I expect them to be different.

[Welshjim]

Dr. Bob--Here is a long list from Google
http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...arison+program
Note that even some of the shareware programs are still beta.

[jdc2000]

Link:

http://www.foldermatch.com/fminfo.htm


Note: Most file/folder compare programs will also have a synchronization feature as well. You do not have to use it , but it is likely to be included.

[Dr. Bob]

@Welshjim
I think you'll find that most of these utilities are either meant to compare text files or are paid software with much more features than I need.

@ jdc2000
I'm sure it's a nice piece of software but again packed with features I do not need and thus not freeware.

[jdc2000]

I don't think you are going to find a freeware program to do what you want. The amount of effort involved in writing one justifies charging for it. I have written one for a specific application (comparing exported Outlook Express e-mail messages), and I'd charge for it if someone wanted to use it. Anything you do find is likely to have more features than you need, since it wasn't written specifically for your particular application.

[Dr. Bob]

I don't want it to be specific. I want it to be totally unspecific. It should just do a binary byte by byte comparison like the DOS "FC" command does. If software like Firefox can be freeware then why not such a much MUCH more simple piece of software?

[SpywareDr]

If software like Firefox can be freeware then why not such a much MUCH more simple piece of software?

Hundreds of programmers investing thousands of combined hours to develop and maintain open source applications is quite a bit different from some poor soul spending untold hours trying to develop a single useful utility.

I don't believe I've ever met anyone that expects someone to die of starvation in order to create a piece of freeware.

Everyone's gotta eat.

[Dr. Bob]

There are many thousands of little and even tot so little freeware programs made by enthusiasts out of sheer hobbyism. Take VirtualDub for instance. That is a much more complex piece of software than what I am looking for.

This thread is not intended to discuss the different aspects of free vs. paid software. Feel free to start another thread about that subject.

But if someone knows of a useful little proggy that does the comparing job I'm looking for....

[Dr. Bob]

I don't believe I've ever met anyone that expects someone to die of starvation in order to create a piece of freeware.

And frankly. I find this remark insulting and totally unwarranted.

[meldan24]

And frankly. I find this remark insulting and totally unwarranted.

A bit insulting, maybe, but entirely warranted. You ask for help and then complain about every effort everyone here has made on your behalf, whining all the while because no one app is tailor-made to your needs. To make it worse you talk down to everyone as if they're stupid.

If you had an ounce of gratitude in you, you'd at least thank people for their volunteered time. Furthermore, if you were 1/10th as smart as you think you are you'd have found what you wanted without asking us stupid people for help.

Go write your own program.

[Steve R Jones]

OK. Thanks to everyone for sharing. Lets see if we can stay on topic.

[Dr. Bob]

A bit insulting, maybe, but entirely warranted. You ask for help and then complain about every effort everyone here has made on your behalf, whining all the while because no one app is tailor-made to your needs. To make it worse you talk down to everyone as if they're stupid.

If you had an ounce of gratitude in you, you'd at least thank people for their volunteered time. Furthermore, if you were 1/10th as smart as you think you are you'd have found what you wanted without asking us stupid people for help.

Go write your own program.

Gee. You already contributed 10 whole postings to this forum (well.... nine before you made this one) and already you think you are entitled to pass judgement about others here. You must be VERY special. And if you're 1/10th as smart as you think I am surely you can find the utility I am looking for. Undoubtedly you have downloaded and examined the utility I linked to to find out what it is I am looking for and came up with this 'informed' opinion.

I'll be really looking forward to that utility you in your infinite wisdom will be able to find with your impressive capabilities in these matters.

Please astonish us mere mortals with your benevolent assistance.

How can we be anything else but humble in the bright guiding light you cast before us.

[SuperSparks]

That's enough