Question Freeware that compares files in folders subfolders only file names ?

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rob pc

Apr 4, 2025
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2
15
Hi,

I'm looking for a simple freeware that will compare 2 folders containing subfolders showing the files that are different.
However I'm not interested in different size, date, content or what have you. Only files with different names.

The softwares I've tried are winmerge, freecommander, totalcommander, beyond compare, allsync, alldup, diffmerge, foldermatch, jfilesync, comparator, oxygen xml, etc..
Not all of them are free, but even then the sharewares were not capable or too complicated.

Does anyone know?

Kind regards,

Rob
 
Just to ensure that I understand the requirement.

The comparison needs to reveal what files are in Folder A and not in Folder B.

And vice versa: What files are in Folder B and not in Folder A.

Including those files in the subfolders of Folder A and Folder B.

Filenames only.

Correct?
 
Ralston18 said:
"Just to ensure that I understand the requirement.

The comparison needs to reveal what files are in Folder A and not in Folder B.

And vice versa: What files are in Folder B and not in Folder A.

Including those files in the subfolders of Folder A and Folder B.

Filenames only.

Correct?"
Click to expand...

Thank you for your reply.
Correct!
 
USAFRet said:
While I've NOT tried this, what about Free Duplicate Finder.
https://www.mindgems.com/products/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder/Fast-Duplicate-File-Finder-About.htm

Specifically:
Find duplicate file names - Find files with the same or similar names. Set 100% to find repeating file names or set lower to find alike names.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your answer.
However 'Find Duplicate File Names' looks in a specific folder/subfolders for similar names.
Not comparing 2 folders and find different file names.
 
I've used Beyond Compare many times for staged migration and delta file copying.
Their trial is usually long enough to get whatever job I need to do done, before it expires. Not sure if it'll do exactly what you want but you may want to check it out.
 
rob pc said:
Yes, in one specific directory, but not comparing 2 directories.....
Click to expand...
Here's a question...
Please tell us what the actual use case is for this requirement.

Since it seems that NONE of the available tools are suitable...either too complex or not exact to your requirements....
What is the real need here?
 
USAFRet said:
Here's a question...
Please tell us what the actual use case is for this requirement.

Since it seems that NONE of the available tools are suitable...either too complex or not exact to your requirements....
What is the real need here?
Click to expand...
I have several places (usb sticks, hdd) where I store(d) my mp3/wma files.
I've crashed my car a while ago so I lost my car audio usb stick with all my songs.
I'm not sure if I have some songs on one place (backup directory) that is not on my new audio stick directory.
I just need a simple straight forward freeware that can check only file names, not the other unnecessary attributes (date, content, etc.).
 
alceryes said:
I've used Beyond Compare many times for staged migration and delta file copying.
Their trial is usually long enough to get whatever job I need to do done, before it expires. Not sure if it'll do exactly what you want but you may want to check it out.
Click to expand...
In my opening thread I listed 'Beyond Compare' and that didn't work....
 
rob pc said:
I have several places (usb sticks, hdd) where I store(d) my mp3/wma files.
I've crashed my car a while ago so I lost my car audio usb stick with all my songs.
I'm not sure if I have some songs on one place (backup directory) that is not on my new audio stick directory.
I just need a simple straight forward freeware that can check only file names, not the other unnecessary attributes (date, content, etc.).
Click to expand...
Personally, what I would do is...

Create a folder on a drive somewhere.
From all your devices, copy the files to that newly created folder.
Windows File Explorer will see dupes (mostly), and give you the option to ignore or rename.
 
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USAFRet said:
Personally, what I would do is...

Create a folder on a drive somewhere.
From all your devices, copy the files to that newly created folder.
Windows File Explorer will see dupes (mostly), and give you the option to ignore or rename.
Click to expand...
Hmmm..., maybe that's the solution.
Never crossed my mind.
I will try that, thanks!
 
USAFRet said:
Personally, what I would do is...

Create a folder on a drive somewhere.
From all your devices, copy the files to that newly created folder.
Windows File Explorer will see dupes (mostly), and give you the option to ignore or rename.
Click to expand...
It works but it's not ideal.
Strange that there is no software available on the internet can exactly do this.
 
Regarding File Explorer being cumbersome - likely so.

Consider using Powershell: may seem cumbersome or complicated at first but may be very straightforward and simple once you get a sense of it all.

FYI:

https://collectingwisdom.com/powershell-compare-two-folders/

https://stackoverflow.com/questions...ell-script-to-compare-two-folders-recursively

You can easily find similar "how-to's" and tutorials. Simple to complex.

Google "Powershell how to compare folders" to start and then revise the search criteria as you read and learn.

Powershell is built into Windows and it is very easy to copy cmdlets and scripts to test.

Just be sure that all testing is done using copies of the target folders and well away from any possible connection path to the real data. Which should be backed up somewhere else for added protection.
 
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