FreeDiff for Windows

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Key Details of FreeDiff

Analyze the differences between two versions of a file.
Last updated on November 8, 2008
Virus scan status:
Clean (it’s extremely likely that this software program is clean)

Developer’s Description

By Salty Brine Software

Analyze the differences between two versions of a file.

From the developer: ""FreeDiff is a free file difference viewer for Windows 95/98/ME - Windows 2000/NT/XP. Use it to analyze the changes between two revisions of a file. Note: FreeDiff is not an editor. The differences between files can be viewed but the files can not be modified. FreeDiff can be used to locate the differences in program source code files, HTML documents, and any other ASCII-based text files. A color-coded side-by-side display of the comparison results makes it easy to understand the differences between the two files at a glance. Other file types can also be compared if they are first saved in a text format. For example, MS Word documents and MS Excel spreadsheets can be saved in text format and compared. Two versions of the System Registry database can be exported from within RegEdit and then compared using FreeDiff.

""Features: Allows drag and drop of files onto FreeDiff for comparison; Auto-completes file specifications as they are typed in; Compares ASCII text files in a side-by-side format; Differences are shown with color highlighting; Differences down to the character-level are shown; Easy navigation from one difference to another; Search for text within the files; Bookmarks can be added to the comparison results; Ignore Space and Ignore Case comparison options supported; Files can be printed with the differences pointed out; Free of charge!""

FreeDiff for Windows

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Full Specifications

GENERAL

Release: September 16, 2002

Latest update: November 8, 2008

Version: 1.1.2

OPERATING SYSTEMS

Platform: Windows

Operating System

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

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

POPULARITY

Total Downloads: 92,358

Downloads Last Week: 1

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Last Updated

User Reviews

3.4/5

15 User Votes

Basic text comparison tool, does what it says
chas108August 16, 2013
Pros
Easy to install Easy to use Accurate
Cons
Needs a horizontal scroll bar
Summary
I use this to compare two HTML files for changes. It accurately highlights the differences in two side-by-side windows that scroll together. Lines of code that have differences are highlighted in purple. Lines that appear in one file but not the other are highlighted in yellow. In the latter case, the software accurately detects the inserted lines and continues to match up the lines that follow it without errors. Although you can't edit directly in the viewer, there are buttons that allow you to open the files in Notepad and edit them there. However, changes you make in Notepad don't show up in FileDiff, unless you save and reload the files. Biggest drawback is the lack of a horizontal scroll bar. Also, the command to "Print Differences" prints the entire files, not just the differences. And the lines don't wrap when printing, so you can't the whole line of text if it's longer than a page width. A few tweaks would make this a great program, but as it is, I can only give 3 stars. But it's still a helpful utility, and it's free.
Useful utility, restricted to pure text files
BRG1942September 9, 2011
Pros
Relatively easy to use. Much easier, for example, than WinMerge, where I eventually gave up trying to use it
Cons
The display is not very good when the files being compared have long lines, because there is no left/right scroll button, only an up/down button.
Summary
For a basic file compare utility, if you aren't trying to compare Word files or some such, this routine seems a well-designed, easy to use utility. As stated above, I only wish that one could scroll the differences from left to right, but otherwise I am satisfied with this utility for the single purpose for which it was designed. I'd tried using WinMerge earlier, and the interface was so difficult that I gave up on it.
Somewhat basic file compare utility
sumitharMay 26, 2010
Pros
Integrates easily with Textpad editor. Nice side by side display
Cons
It's really basic. WinMerge seems a lot more powerful. Not really a con, but find the Christianity plug rather intriguing!
Summary
Need a small footprint file comparator- you can use this
didn't work for me
larry_manMay 12, 2010
Pros
none. Did not work to compare 2 documents in MS Word. Only said they were different but did not show how.
Cons
Did not work
Summary
Did not work
was not worth my effort
poulstaunAugust 10, 2009
Pros
free--to use
Cons
single file diff- not for directorys or others with more files
Summary
did not stay long with me
Did exactly what it said on the tin
July 30, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
OKish, but needs further work
May 23, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
Did compare the 2 text files I wanted it to, but ... a. Desperately needs a horizontal scroll bar. b. Display needs to handle tabs better. c. The search for next difference facility fails to work as it keeps saying "no more differences", yet selecting later lines shows differences do exist (shown in red) at bottom of screen. Better than nothing, but it means a lot of scanning by eye, which sort of defeats the object. Has potential, and comes free, but ...
Only Works With Text Files
April 1, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
To me, a "file compare" utility should do binaries. That's what I usually need it for!
Better alternative to Microsoft's WinDiff
March 17, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
This is a very good alternative to the free WinDiff that comes with Visual Studio. I prefer the side-by-side comparison provided by FreeDiff. My only complaint is that you cannot copy selections from the window to the clipboard.
Doesn't work
March 15, 2004
Pros
Cons
Summary
Junk... look elsewhere