You can run Directory Compare as a normal program, from any of the following:
You can also double-click any file containing saved settings
(a .dcp
file), which starts Directory Compare
and loads the settings.
Once Directory Compare starts:
;
)
under Filter (the default *.*
will
use all files in the selected directory or zip file;
patterns after / will be
excluded: see File Patterns
in Filter),Character | Meaning |
---|---|
> |
the source file is newer than the target file or the latter is missing, |
< |
the source file is missing or older than the target |
? |
both files have the same time stamps but
different sizes (they will be treated as the >
files if the Sizes are different option in
the Options dialog
is selected), |
- |
both files have the same time stamps and
sizes but different attributes (they will be
treated as the > files if
the Attributes are different option in the
Options dialog is
selected) |
|
files are different but have the same name and the Ignore everything option is selected. |
|
for one FAT file and one NTFS file differing just by one hour. See FAT vs. NTFS. |
= |
both files have the same time stamp, sizes and attributes (although not very probable, they could have some different bits: use the Compare function to check this). |
The different files will appear selected and the status line will inform you on the number of files that are newer in each directory, as well as the equal files and the number of selected files (initially, those with different time stamps)
Ctrl
key if you want to
keep other selections when changing the status of a
single line) and use the Edit menu,
the shortcut menu that you get
when using the right mouse button or, in some cases, the
equivalent keyboard shortcuts to update and compare files
in both directories as well as to perform other tasks on
them: erasing, opening, viewing, using an external
compare program. The usual way of arranging the order of
entries by clicking on column headers works as expected. Since you may have different sets of working directories (say, your documents and your programs) you may find yourself repeatedly using the same sets of directories, filter and options. The history lists under Source and Target will help you, and Directory Compare always starts with the settings you used the last time. Furthermore, by using the File menu you can save the settings in a .dcp file and then use them again later. You can then recover the settings in the file, or by simply clicking on the file icon (you may also define a shortcut to this icon in any convenient location, such as your desktop). In that case the program will start with the corresponding settings and an automatic Scan will by performed on start-up.
See also Automatic Backups and Command Line Options.