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I have two INI files, and I want see the differences between then (which keys have different values, and which keys one has that the other don't), so...

How-to compare two (or more) INI files?

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6 Answers

up vote 3 down vote

You may use a comparison tool for that, like Winmerge, an open source and free differencing tool for Windows. It shows the two files side-by-side, colormarking the differences.

Supports Microsoft Windows 98/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7.

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up vote 3 down vote

Try IniCompare

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Or have a look at this list of Ini editors/compare tools, though a differencing tool would be the easiest probably

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IniCompare on Vista/Win7 needs a VB DLL. Go here: support.microsoft.com/kb/172991/EN-US Download MSVBVM50.CAB. Extract the DLL to the folder where IniCompare.exe is. – dangph Apr 13 '10 at 3:25
FYI, that KB article just says to download it from activex.microsoft.com/controls/vb5/MSVBVM50.cab, so save yourself a step :-) – Ross Patterson Feb 4 at 14:34
up vote 2 down vote

Use file compare command-line utility (in any windows) from the command prompt (enter cmd intor start/run dialog)

fc inifile1.ini inifile2.ini

The result will be typed aftewards. If you would like to review the results 

fc inifile1.ini inifile2.ini > results.txt

After the latter you will see the report in the file results.txt

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+1 for coming with a solution which doesn't require additional software. – TFM Aug 24 '09 at 13:07
-1 for comming with a solution which doesn't meet the requirements – Daniel Silveira Aug 24 '09 at 13:16
up vote 1 down vote

I found a lovelly windows freeware utility called ExamDiff the other day that will do exactly what you want, is user friendly and free. It will even do directory comparisons if you pay for the 'pro' version.

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Only the paid version has plugins, which you need for ini sorting. – dangph Apr 13 '10 at 3:15
up vote 1 down vote

I've been using Beyond Compare by Scootersoftware for over 10 years now. http://www.scootersoftware.com/

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