File Compare XP

File Compare XP is a feather-light and easy-to-use file comparison tool that analyzes any two given files to generate a report and help you figure out the similarities and differences between them. It doesn't require installation and works for any file type.

Since File Compare XP's wrapped in a portable package, you can save the program's executable file anywhere on the hard drive or on a USB flash drive to directly run it on any computer, without having to install anything. It shouldn't modify your Windows registry settings.

The interface is represents by a classical wizard based on just two steps. After picking two files to compare, you can instruct File Compare XP to perform an analysis.

Comparison results reveal the name, full path, version, size and CRC32 of each file, in addition to the comparison status: whether or not the file names, extensions, sizes, versions and CRC32 values match.

This data can be exported to file with one click. File Compare XP automatically creates a plain text document on the desktop, names it "File Compare Results", and overwrites the doc on every new task. There are no other notable options available.

Unsurprisingly, the utility had minimal impact on computer performance in our tests. Although it hasn't been updated for a very long time and it was initially designed for Windows XP, it works smoothly on Windows editions past XP (we tested it on Windows 7).

File comparison tasks are generally carried out fast, depending on the size of the files. While computing data for large files, though, File Compare XP may look like it crashed (the main window disappears and nothing happens if you click the taskbar icon). However, it just takes longer time to compare the files.

To conclude, File Compare XP provides users with a simple method for comparing any two files by taking into account some basic criteria, backed by intuitive options. It mainly caters to users less experienced with file comparison software.