How to Compare Two Folders in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / October 16, 2025

Have you ever wondered if two folders on your Windows 11 PC contain the same files — or which ones differ? Whether you’re organizing backups, syncing files between drives, or debugging project versions, learning how to compare two folders in Windows 11 can save you hours of manual checking.

In this comprehensive, beginner-friendly guide, we’ll walk you through multiple ways to compare folders — using built-in tools like File Explorer and Command Prompt, as well as third-party apps for deeper comparisons.

Let’s get started!

Why You Might Need to Compare Two Folders

Comparing folders isn’t just for tech experts — it’s useful for anyone managing files across different drives or devices. Here are a few reasons why this task matters:

  • Backup Verification: Ensure both folders have identical files after copying data.

  • File Synchronization: Find differences between work and home PC folders.

  • Version Control: Check which files changed between two project versions.

  • Storage Cleanup: Identify duplicate or missing files.

  • Troubleshooting: Confirm whether all files were copied correctly after a transfer.

Understanding how to compare folders efficiently helps you maintain data integrity and consistency — and Windows 11 provides several ways to do it.

Method 1: Compare Two Folders Manually Using File Explorer

The most straightforward approach is using Windows File Explorer.

While it’s not automated, this method is simple for small folders or when you just need a quick glance.

Steps:

  1. Open both folders side by side.

    • Right-click one folder and select Open in new window.

    • Resize both windows so you can view them together.

  2. Sort files in both windows by Name, Date Modified, or Size.

  3. Manually compare the file lists — look for any missing or mismatched files.

💡 Tip:
Use View → Details mode for easier comparison and visible file attributes.

This method works best for a few files but can be tedious for large folders. That’s where automated tools come in.

Method 2: Compare Folders Using Command Prompt

Windows 11’s Command Prompt includes a built-in utility called FC (File Compare), which can also compare folders.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + S and type cmd.

  2. Right-click Command Prompt and choose Run as administrator.

  3. Type the following command:

    fc /l /s "C:\Folder1" "D:\Folder2"

    • Replace C:\Folder1 and D:\Folder2 with the actual paths.

    • /s compares subfolders too.

    • /l treats files as text.

  4. Press Enter to execute.

  5. The output will display differences found between files and folders.

⚙️ Note:
The FC tool works well for text files (like .txt, .html, or .csv) but isn’t ideal for binary files (like images or videos).

If you want a more robust comparison, PowerShell is a better choice.

Method 3: Compare Two Folders Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers more flexibility and modern commands for folder comparison in Windows 11.

Steps:

  1. Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).

  2. Use this command:

    Compare-Object -ReferenceObject (Get-ChildItem "C:\Folder1") -DifferenceObject (Get-ChildItem "D:\Folder2") -Property Name

  3. Press Enter.

PowerShell will list the differences between the two folders:

  • <= means the file exists in Folder1 but not in Folder2.

  • => means the file exists in Folder2 but not in Folder1.

Optional: Compare Subfolders Too

Add the -Recurse parameter:

Compare-Object -ReferenceObject (Get-ChildItem "C:\Folder1" -Recurse) -DifferenceObject (Get-ChildItem "D:\Folder2" -Recurse) -Property Name

This scans all nested folders — ideal for large projects or backups.

Method 4: Use Windows File Compare (FC) for Text File Differences

If you’re comparing text-based content between folders (like code files or logs), Windows’ FC command is very effective.

Command Example:

fc "C:\Folder1\File1.txt" "D:\Folder2\File1.txt"

The command outputs line-by-line differences between two files.

You can combine this with batch scripting to compare all files automatically (see Method 8 below).

Method 5: Compare Folders Using Microsoft’s WinMerge (Free Tool)

If you prefer a graphical interface, WinMerge is a free, open-source application designed exactly for comparing and merging folders.

Why Use WinMerge?

  • Side-by-side visual folder comparison

  • Color-coded differences

  • Merge capability for syncing files

  • Supports file filters and plugins

Steps:

  1. Download and install WinMerge.

  2. Launch the program.

  3. Click File → Open.

  4. Browse to select the Left Folder and Right Folder you want to compare.

  5. Click Compare.

WinMerge will list:

  • Identical files

  • Different files

  • Missing files

You can also double-click a file to open a detailed difference view.

💡 Tip:
Enable Compare subfolders for a full directory comparison.

Method 6: Compare Folders Using FreeFileSync

FreeFileSync is another excellent, user-friendly tool for comparing and synchronizing folders.

Features:

  • Real-time folder comparison

  • Sync changes in one click

  • Supports external drives and cloud folders

  • Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)

Steps:

  1. Download and install FreeFileSync.

  2. Open the program.

  3. Select your Left Folder and Right Folder.

  4. Click Compare.

  5. The tool highlights differences — newer, missing, or changed files.

  6. Click Synchronize to make them identical (optional).

FreeFileSync even provides a visual summary chart showing how the two folders differ.

Method 7: Compare Folders Using Total Commander

Total Commander is a popular dual-pane file manager for Windows that includes a folder comparison tool.

Steps:

  1. Download and install Total Commander.

  2. Open both folders in the left and right panes.

  3. Click Commands > Synchronize Dirs.

  4. Choose comparison options — by content, date, or size.

  5. Click Compare.

Total Commander will highlight:

  • Files missing in either folder

  • Newer or older versions

  • Option to synchronize or delete duplicates

This method is ideal for advanced users who handle large datasets.

Method 8: Create a Simple Batch Script for Folder Comparison

If you frequently need to compare folders, you can automate the task using a simple batch script.

Steps:

  1. Open Notepad.

  2. Paste this code:

    @echo off
    setlocal
    set "folder1=C:\Folder1"
    set "folder2=D:\Folder2"
    echo Comparing files in %folder1% and %folder2%
    for /f "delims=" %%a in ('dir /b %folder1%') do (
    if not exist "%folder2%\%%a" echo Missing in folder2: %%a
    )
    pause

  3. Save it as compare-folders.bat.

  4. Double-click the script to run it.

This simple script will list files missing from Folder2. You can expand it for deeper comparisons if needed.

Method 9: Compare Folders Using Third-Party Comparison Tools

Here are some other popular tools worth mentioning:

Tool Highlights Best For
Beyond Compare Professional-grade comparison, integrates with Git Developers & IT admins
DiffMerge Visual diff and merge tool Code versioning
Araxis Merge Advanced reporting, folder sync Businesses & large teams
WinDiff (Microsoft) Lightweight classic tool Quick comparisons
Meld Open-source, cross-platform GUI Programmers & Linux users

Each of these tools offers unique features — pick one based on your needs and comfort level.

Method 10: Compare Two Folders by File Size and Date in File Explorer

If you want a quick manual comparison, you can check file size and modification dates to spot differences.

Steps:

  1. Open both folders side by side.

  2. Switch to Details view.

  3. Click the View → Sort by → Date Modified or Size.

  4. Compare timestamps and file sizes visually.

This won’t tell you what’s different in the content, but it’s useful for quick inspections.

Bonus: Compare Cloud Folders (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox)

If you use cloud storage, you might need to compare local and cloud-synced folders.

For OneDrive:

  1. Right-click the OneDrive icon in the system tray.

  2. Open View online to check synced files.

  3. Compare them with local copies in File Explorer.

For Google Drive:

  1. Open Google Drive for Desktop → Preferences.

  2. Check the synced folder list.

  3. Use FreeFileSync or WinMerge to compare the local Google Drive folder with another directory.

This helps ensure cloud syncs are accurate and complete.

How to Compare Folders by File Content (Binary Comparison)

If you need to confirm that files are truly identical at the data level, not just by name or size, use binary comparison tools.

Using PowerShell:

Compare-Object (Get-FileHash "C:\Folder1\File1.txt").Hash (Get-FileHash "D:\Folder2\File1.txt").Hash

If the hashes match, the files are identical.

You can also use FreeFileSync or Beyond Compare, which have built-in checksum comparison options.

Troubleshooting: Common Issues When Comparing Folders

Problem Cause Solution
Permission denied Admin rights required Run PowerShell/Command Prompt as Administrator
Missing subfolder files Recurse flag not used Add -Recurse in PowerShell command
Slow comparison Too many large files Use third-party tools like WinMerge or FreeFileSync
False mismatches Case sensitivity Enable case-insensitive mode in settings
Duplicate files detected File naming differences Normalize filenames before comparing

Best Practices for Folder Comparison in Windows 11

To make comparisons faster and more reliable, follow these pro tips:

  • Use short folder paths: Long paths can cause errors in Command Prompt.

  • Run as administrator: Prevents permission issues.

  • Disable antivirus temporarily: Some scanners may slow down comparison tools.

  • Use SSDs or local drives: Avoid comparing folders directly over the network.

  • Backup before merging: Always keep a copy before syncing or deleting.

Conclusion: Comparing Two Folders in Windows 11 Made Easy

Comparing two folders in Windows 11 doesn’t have to be complicated. You can do it with File Explorer, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or specialized software like WinMerge and FreeFileSync.

Here’s a quick recap:

  • Use File Explorer for small manual checks.

  • Use PowerShell or CMD for fast, scriptable comparisons.

  • Use WinMerge or FreeFileSync for detailed visual analysis.

  • Always double-check before syncing or deleting files.

With these methods, you’ll never have to guess whether two folders match again — you’ll know exactly what’s different and why.

FAQs: How to Compare Two Folders in Windows 11

1. Can I compare folders without installing extra software?

Yes. You can use File Explorer, Command Prompt, or PowerShell to compare folders natively in Windows 11.

2. What’s the best free tool to compare folders?

WinMerge and FreeFileSync are two of the best free and open-source tools for comparing and syncing folders visually.

3. How do I compare folders for duplicate files?

You can use Total Commander or FreeFileSync to detect duplicates automatically by name, size, or content.

4. Can I compare folders including subfolders?

Yes. Add the -Recurse parameter in PowerShell or enable “Compare subfolders” in tools like WinMerge.

5. How do I sync two folders after comparing?

Most comparison tools, like FreeFileSync, let you synchronize differences in one click to make both folders identical.

Key Takeaways

  • There are multiple ways to compare folders in Windows 11 — from built-in tools to professional apps.

  • WinMerge and FreeFileSync are user-friendly and effective for most users.

  • PowerShell is best for quick command-line comparisons.

  • Always verify file content, not just names, for accuracy.

  • Use folder comparison to save time, avoid duplicates, and protect your data integrity.

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