CompareDiff

Having to work with large quantities of files of the same type can leave duplicates behind, or end up in different folders from what you intended. This can mean you have to compare folders at some point, but with loads of files inside it becomes a difficult task. Luckily, CompareDiff comes with an optimal solution to help scan files, and synchronize if necessary.

The application takes little time to get installed on your computer, but before you can proceed with any operation you need to make sure that .NET Framework is also installed, because it’s a mandatory requirement for functionality.

One of the first operation performed is to create a new scene, which is mainly an alternative way of saying project in this case. Don’t be fooled or scared by the name, because you’re only required to specify a new scene name, additional comments, as well as source, and destination directories. What’s more, folders can be selected from a FTP server for more flexibility in configurations.

With a scene created and selected, the main window can now be fitted with scene. Once folders are scanned, all files are displayed in two columns, one for each location. Depending on content, intuitive icons are included to show different files, folders, or not in use. Later on you’re able to check changes since last scene, which can mean deleted items, new items, modified file, or modified folder.

One possible operation is to manually copy one, or a selection of files from one location to the other. However, you can initiate a sync process so the application does this for you, but there are no parameters, or rules to configure, meaning both folders are equipped with the same files by the end of the operation. Moreover, sync processes need to be manually triggered each time, because of the lack of a scheduler.

Last but not least, the application comes with a set of extra tools. These help you compress folders and have them secured with a custom password for safe distribution, compare two text files to analyze differences, or scan the entire computer for similar files according to your input.

Taking everything into consideration, we can say that CompareDiff comes with a handful of tools to help with file and folder management, but they feel a little shallow in terms of options, and parameters to configure. With no scheduler, or options for the sync process, a little more time than usual needs to be invested in operations here.