CSDiff for Windows

Used CSDiff for Windows?

Editors’ Review

Download.com staffFebruary 26, 2026

This program compares lists of folders and document contents, but operates only on plain text files. It cannot compare documents created by major word processors since they save files in the binary format. The program's simple interface is basic enough for novices, but lacks advanced features for those looking for a tool to compare multiple file types. Users pick two files or folders to compare and the program creates a new document showing the differences. It can compare the documents by letter, word, or line. Its small size and ease of use make it a good tool for those who create numerous plain text files. However, CSDiff's directory-comparison function only checks file names. It cannot find files that have the same content but different names, nor compare file time stamps. Basic programmers and list makers of any ability will find this program useful.

CSDiff for Windows

Used CSDiff for Windows?

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: December 30, 2004

Latest update: February 26, 2026

Version: 5.0

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

Windows 98
Windows ME
Windows XP
Windows 10
Windows NT
Windows 2000
Windows 95

Additional Requirements: Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 188,008

Downloads Last Week: 8

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Last Updated

User Reviews

4.2/5

11 User Votes

Combines changes (in red) into one output document
jxrichMarch 13, 2016
Pros
This is the absolute best comparison software for Word documents, and sooooooooo easy to use. Make sure when listing the two versions of your Word document to put the revised version as the first file selection and the original version as the second file selection. Then press OK. Any time there is a change, it will be shown in red, and any time there is an omission it will be shown in red crossed out. If you would like to print the results to look exactly like what you are viewing (both old and new differences shown in red, old crossed out), change the following option: Change "Final: show markup" to "Orig: show markup" Then press Cntl/P. (Personally I like to print to PDF using Bullzip or dopdf.)
Cons
None - it's perfect!
Summary
Works like a charm
son of a computerJuly 22, 2015
Pros
Simple Fast Free Works well. Works directly from command line.
Cons
It doesn't come bundled with windows. It doesn't do the dishes, or anything else besides comparing text files and directories.
Summary
CSDiff is the go-to program for comparison of code versions, (sorted) lists and nearly all other types of text files that have nearly the same content.
zonealarm/kaspersky says this has a virus
ckanerApril 13, 2012
Pros
There is no advantage to having a program on your system that is flagged as having a virus. Even if it is actually clean, no prudent person would keep the file on their disk when their virus checker says it is malware. The time taken to detect it and then go through a removal and system clean far exceeds any convenience that a utility can offer
Cons
zonealarm / kaspersky flags this as a virus
Summary
cnet should not host a product that virus checkers flag as malware.
Does exactly what is aays on the "box".
JohnERussellJanuary 4, 2011
Pros
Simple and fast, and remembers the last 2 files that were compared, so I can go back and repeat the compare easily.
Cons
I can't think of anything right now, but I have only used it on XML files so far.
Summary
Simple and easy to use.
OK as far as it goes
chris.heveyJanuary 4, 2011
Pros
Small size, fast, simple to use
Cons
Doesn't seem to cope, not in large files anyway. That is, csdiff will mark new text as a change to old text, when in fact it should be marking it as new - not realising identical text is further down the file
Summary
Does what it says
inchoatepowerDecember 7, 2010
Pros
Simple interface and simple output
Cons
No reall negatives for this free product
Summary
simple and very efficient
jdruiterSeptember 22, 2010
Pros
It has something that other file comparison tools miss: it compares within one screen, much like Microsoft Word's "track changes". You might like this or not, I'd say it's perfect for text and less handy for code. Opening word files is also possible.
Cons
It can't compare side-to-side
Summary
Great small program!
Simple and more effective than some others.
dasturexApril 23, 2008
Pros
I had used other file comparison tools for years, particularly WinDiff, for comparing code and document file differences. Sometimes though, if there are a lot of differences between two files, because of the way the results are displayed such text comparison tools can be almost useless. Although CSDiff can display in a similar 'Diff' format to WinDiff and the others I've tried, it also provides a 'Friendly' format view which can make the unintelligible intelligible. For me this little program was a great find.<p>Although I haven't tried it yet, the file version back up software 'FileHamster', which I've recently iinstalled, has a plug in option to integrate CSDiff so that it can be used to compare different versions of a file. I think FileHamster + CSDiff could be a great combination for tracking your frequently changing files.
Cons
Summary
It's small, it's free, it works - it's great
BufferUndarunApril 21, 2006
Pros
It's easy to use: It compares all text files I ever wanted to be compared - html, php, doc, rtf and so on - and highlights the differences.
Cons
Summary
For a free software, it's excellent
bobriversbrJanuary 26, 2006
Pros
It's fast, it's simple. Has a good interface showing differences between directories.
Cons
I don't like the way it shows file differences. It shows everything in one page (with colors). I prefer side-by-side documents.
Summary

Developer’s Description

By ComponentSoftware

Analyze differences between files and folders.

ComponentSoftware Diff (CSDiff) is a file-analysis tool for Microsoft Windows. CSDiff analyzes changes, which have been made between two revisions of the same file or folder. CSDiff is commonly used when analyzing program-source files, HTML documents, and MS-Word documents.

Version 5 features support of compressed folders (ZIP files) for comparison of archived folders and regular folders; review mode that permits output file editing, and improved accuracy. This version also fixes a bug in report command for folder analysis and has some other fixes.