File/Directory compare tool

[Kermode]

I have a need to compare files in directories to make sure they are the same (ie binary compare). Any suggestions for this?

There are plenty of programs which look for duplicates, but that is really of no use. It is little help to be told thousands of files are the same, when i'm looking for the 1 or 2 files which might not be the same.

[Napiophelios]

http://www.clonespy.com/?Home
Maybe?It uses CRC for the comparisons.
TPFC Database entry

[ashghost]

DoubleKiller also can use checksums to check for duplicates:
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=136

Easy Duplicate Finder can use checksums or even make byte-by-byte comparisons:
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=1334

[webfork]

I would create a trackerless torrent using uTorrent. It will be able to still verify different files that are on unconnected machines with different directory structures. So if the files on the first computer are on c:\server and the second computer is C:\backup\server, it can still verify any number of files and folders without any fuss.

Torrents are flexible and they will even tell you what *part* of a file is missing, which is cool.

Alternately I'd probably try FileCommander's verification tool, although I haven't tested that so I don't know how good it is about doing multi-directory tests.

[Ruby]

It's in the database:
http://www.portablefreeware.com/?id=699

Program Page:
http://www.sdean12.org/IntegrityChecker.htm

Check out the Notes and the Command Line Summary on the Program Page.

[Kermode]

DoubleKiller also can use checksums to check for duplicates:
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=136

Easy Duplicate Finder can use checksums or even make byte-by-byte comparisons:
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=1334

Did you even read what I wrote? No. They are useless. I'm not looking for duplicates, I'm trying to make sure both sets are identical.

[Kermode]

Ok, thanks for feedback though none of the programs seem to be particularly useful.

[Onesimus Prime]

Would this program do what you're looking for? I haven't used it in quite a while, but I think it may be similar to what you're describing
As far as portability, it does write the file "Compare prefs" to %AppData%\SteelBytes - but there's only one option in the program anyway, so I just use the following .bat launcher to delete the pref. file afterwards:

Code: Select all

@echo off
cls

Title SteelBytes ''Compare'' launcher - please DO NOT close this window manually!
echo.
echo This launcher will erase Compare's settings folder after
echo you close the program...
start /D "%~p0App" /wait compare.exe

cls
echo Deleting settings folder
rmdir %appdata%\SteelBytes /s /q
echo.
pause

*Caution!* There's nothing implemented in that to back up previously existing settings, and if other SteelBytes software settings are in that folder too...wave goodbye! But this "quick and dirty" launcher works sufficiently well for me.

I understand your frustration in looking for such an app. Why don't more of these exist? I've wondered before about using a program like you're describing to compare the files from an installed and "portable" version of the same program, to see which files (if any) are different...

edit:
Oops, and here it is in the database: http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=176
"FileCompare compares two folders of files in binary (recursive) to see if they are identical. It will list those files found to have no identical counterpart in the other folder."

[taotra]

How about these programs:

Directory Compare (free and portable)
http://tp.lc.ehu.es/jma/win95.html

FreeFileSync
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=1475

Pathsync
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=965

DSynchronize
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=719

Sync Expert
http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=605

[Kermode]

Thanks, guys - I'll have a look at them

[taotra]

There is also FileCatsyn (File Catalog & Synchronizer). It's free and portable.

http://www.lucianpin.ro/download.php

[Ruby]

Beyond Compare is the best, it will do the job for you, it's not freeware
but it's light, quick, and has a generous 30 day trial which only counts on the days you use it.
There are instructions on the Program Page for Portability, basically create a BC2.xml file in program folder.
Program is at Version 3 but I've been happy with 2 (a little lighter).
It writes one reg key [Scooter Software] which starts and holds the trial key.
No other settings are written outside the program folder.
Give it a try, I promise you won't be disappointed!

Beyond Compare Home:
http://www.scootersoftware.com

Beyond Compare Download:
http://www.scootersoftware.com/download.php

[Kermode]

Of course I'm not after Synchronization, just knowing if a destination has been corrupted or copied 100%.

[taotra]

Both FreeFileSync and FileCatsyn have the option to do a bit-by-bit file content comparison to make sure the destination file is identical.

[MiDoJo]

I use TreeComp (http://www.xs4all.nl/~lploeger/TreeComp3.htm) it was on the site but then started write to Registry too much but it is no install