WinMerge
Also called win merge, winmergeu
A free two- and three-way file and folder compare tool. The Unicode process is WinMergeU.exe. It is not Beyond Compare.
What you need to know
WinMerge is free. Beyond Compare is the paid sibling.
WinMergeU.exe is the WinMerge project. BCompare.exe is Scooter Software. Both can be an external Git diff. They do not share licenses or session files.
- What is it?
- Free file and folder compare
- Same as Beyond Compare?
- No. That one is paid
- Process name?
- WinMergeU.exe
What is WinMerge?
WinMerge is a free file and folder compare project. It is not Beyond Compare and not git diff by itself.
If you have never used it
If you want a free compare window on Windows, WinMerge is the usual pick. Download it from winmerge.org. WinMergeU.exe is the Unicode build you actually run. Beyond Compare is Scooter's paid tool. Git and Tortoise can launch WinMerge as an external diff.
What is it used for?
The merge panes. Beyond Compare has its own 3-way UI and a paid license.
Trees and filters. Scooter sessions do not import here.
difftool can point at WinMergeU.exe. BCompare.exe is the other common target.
Who is it for?
- People who want a free compare tool
- Shops that will not buy Beyond Compare
- Anyone who ran WinMerge.exe and missed the Unicode build
Current status
WinMerge (2000) is a current diff and merge from WinMerge. The vendor still points Windows users at https://winmerge.org/.
How old is it?
WinMerge started around 2000 as an open-source compare tool. It is younger than Beyond Compare (1996). Current 2.16-line Windows builds still update. A 2.0-era ANSI-only note is stale. Use the Unicode exe.
Versions
Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.
System requirements
Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.
Minimum
| Operating system | A current 64-bit Windows 10 or Windows 11 release, per WinMerge |
|---|---|
| RAM | The UI is light. Huge folder compares want more RAM |
Resource profile
- CPU demand
- Follows what you open inside the app
- RAM demand
- Follows documents, tabs, or libraries
Installed processes
These executables belong to this product when it is installed.
| WinMergeU.exe | WinMerge Unicode window |
|---|
Startup components
WinMerge does not need a tray. Editors launch it for a merge.
File locations
| Typical install | C:\Program Files\WinMerge\ |
|---|
File formats
Common problems
Opened the wrong exe name
WinMergeU.exe is the Unicode build. An old WinMerge.exe shortcut can be the ANSI leftover.
Git still opens Beyond Compare
difftool config is independent. Installing WinMerge does not rewrite a BCompare hook.
Getting unstuck
Install from winmerge.org
The project hosts the installer. A WinMerge pack on a freeware site is junk.
Confirm WinMergeU.exe under Program Files\WinMerge
BCompare.exe is Beyond Compare.
Set Git mergetool to WinMergeU.exe if you want this window
Tortoise and Git each have their own external diff setting.
Alternatives
Beyond Compare if you want the paid tool. VS Code can diff two files. git diff is the terminal.
Official help and downloads
Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.
| Download | winmerge.org/ Official installer or vendor page |
|---|---|
| Help | winmerge.org/docs/ Vendor support |
| Official site | winmerge.org/ Start here, not a random exe host |
| WinMerge docs | winmerge.org/docs/ Filters, plugins, and 3-way merge |
Related hardware
The UI is light. Huge folder compares want RAM and disk.
Technical details
Technical details
Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.
Sources and verification
Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. How we research.
- WinMerge official site · Vendor product page
- WinMerge help · Vendor support
- WinMerge documentation · Official project docs
- Foxhole process map · First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.
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