Recommend a file utility?

[#1]

Hi folks
I am looking for a utility that will compare 2 folders (and sub-folders) returning a list of files in one folder that DO NOT appear in the other.
I don’t need a massive list of duplicate files that I know exist I just want the ones that don't have a double in the other folder.
Anyone know of a (preferably free) program that will do this?
Cheers

[#2]

http://www.freecommander.com/

[#3]

I have had a look at it but can't see how to make it do what I mention above, other than it will compare the the two current folders. How do you get it to report the differences between two folders with say 100 sub-folders?

[#4]

It seems FolderMatch does the job but $35 is a bit steep!

[#5]

http://www.componentsoftware.com/products/csdiff/
Can be used to compare files or folders.
When comparing folders you can create reports filtering to show just the records you want (see attached).
I've used this for about 5 years.

[#6]

is there not a built in command you can access with cmd?  open the terminal and type (i think) help?.  this should give a list of commands.  perhaps help compare would do the trick.

[#7]

The "preview" facility in SyncToy might provide this, showing such files as new - although if you've updated duplicate files these would also appear as overwites.

[#8]

Guys, CSDiff does EXACTLY what God wanted (no issues over modified files or files that have different time stamps showing as modified as you can exclude those from the report).
It's also in his price bracket!
I maintain/develop a system that has a lot of different files in an application and find it essential for making sure I (a) identify what new modified files need to be copied from test to live and (b) make sure live and test are in sync when I've done it.
It also has an option for specifying file extensions which are to be ignored (e.g. compilation listing files which don't need to be copied from test to live).

[#9]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated I will give it a try.

[#10]

The fc command in Windows enables files to be compared and will display the differences between them.  You could output the contents of one directory tree to one file (eg dir C:\directory1 /s > file1.txt) and the contents of the other directory tree to another file (eg dir C:\directory2 /s > file2.txt) and then use fc to display the differences between them (eg fc file1.txt file2.txt)
help fc
Compares two files or sets of files and displays the differences between them
FC [/LBn] [/OFF[LINE]] [/nnnn]
  [drive1:][path1]filename1 [drive2:][path2]filename2
FC /B [drive1:][path1]filename1 [drive2:][path2]filename2
  /A        Displays only first and last lines for each set of differences.
  /B        Performs a binary comparison.
  /C        Disregards the case of letters.
  /L        Compares files as ASCII text.
  /LBn      Sets the maximum consecutive mismatches to the specified
            number of lines.
  /N        Displays the line numbers on an ASCII comparison.
  /OFF[LINE] Do not skip files with offline attribute set.
  /T        Does not expand tabs to spaces.
  /U        Compare files as UNICODE text files.
  /W        Compresses white space (tabs and spaces) for comparison.
  /nnnn      Specifies the number of consecutive lines that must match
            after a mismatch.
  [drive1:][path1]filename1
            Specifies the first file or set of files to compare.
  [drive2:][path2]filename2
            Specifies the second file or set of files to compare.

[#11]

Thanks for all the advice gents. I have eventually decided on ponying up for foldermatch as it does all I want and then some.

[#12]

thaks pnf, i was sure there was something, however unwieldy.  god, is there not something equivalent in open source?  there's a linux equivalence site that shows the comparisons.  a quick search should find it.

[#13]

There are some fabulous open source and freeware programs in many sectors but for me the bottom line is that if the best program isn't free and I can afford it I will happily buy. For example why would I pay for a clean-up program when ccleaner is best in class and free? On the other hand IMHO none of the free AV progrmas hold a candle to Kaspersky which can be had for well under £5-10 a year if you know where to look. So after taking time to look at foldermatch I like its breadth of features and decided to pay  for it, although I still think it is probably a bit expensive!

[#14]

If your requirements were just what you stated I think you paid about $35 too much.
Did you actually try CSDiff?

[#15]

Yup, I did.