WinMerge can be installed using installer or by unzipping files from archive. Using the installer is the recommended method.
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Currently WinMerge installer works natively only for 32-bit Windows. There is no separate version of WinMerge for 64-bit Windows (WinXP/2003/Vista). 64-bit Windows versions can run the installer and WinMerge as 32-bit application. For the Shell Integration there is the 64-bit version of extension included in the installer. |
Latest releases can be always downloaded from WinMerge homepage: WinMerge.org. Note that there may be some delay updating homepages for the latest releases, but project statuspage at SourceForge.net shows the latest files. There is also a mailing-list for release announcements. Stable releases are also available in several file download sites.
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Installer requires Admin-user priviledges in Windows NT4/2000/XP. If you don't have Admin-user priviledges you can install WinMerge by unzipping from an archive file (see Installing from an Archive). |
This is recommended for most users. Installer asks location where WinMerge is installed, installs files, configures shell integration and adds WinMerge to
-menu. To install WinMerge:Select components installed or one of preconfigured combinations. Typical configuration is recommended for most users. In addition to components already selected by Typical, language file(s) could be chosen. Components are:
Select additional tasks:
WinMerge is pretty much independent from other system components. It doesn't integrate tightly to Windows or use lots of dlls. WinMerge[U].exe itself is dependent of MFC71[U].dll , MSVCR71.dll and MSVCP71.dll in addition to some system DLLs. So if mentioned DLLs already are installed to system, only WinMerge[U].exe is needed to run WinMerge. Mentioned DLL files are available also as Runtimes-package to download.
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WinMerge 2.6.0 and later versions require a new version of runtime libraries. When updating from older WinMerge versions using archive files, new runtime files form Runtime-package are needed. |
Archive files have correct folder structure. WinMerge should be unzipped preserving folder structure to destination folder, for example C:\Program Files\. Root folder created has name /WinMerge-version, for example /WinMerge-2.6.0. This folder can be renamed or files copied to other folder (preserving the folder structure!).
After unzipping files WinMerge is ready to run! Shell Integration and Archive Integration may need additional steps (see below).
Choose "Enable Explorer context menu integration" from installer's additional features to install Shell Integration.
If install program is not used, Shell Integration dll (ShellExtension*.dll) must be registered separately. This is done by running register.bat from WinMerge directory. Restarting the computer is recommended after installing Shell Integration so that Windows updates all its references.
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Installing shell Integration requires administrative user priviledges. |
Updating the Shell Integration outside the installer requires first uninstalling current Shell Intregration version. Uninstalling can be done by running unregister.bat from WinMerge directory. After that the computer should be restarted so Windows completes uninstallation. Then the new version can be installed like described above.
WinMerge version 2.6 includes a partial support for 64-bit Windows versions by including 64-bit Shell Integration. WinMerge installer recognizes 64-bit versions of Windows and can install correct version of Shell Integration.
When installing Shell Integration by hand from an archive file, Shell Integration dll is named as ShellExtensionX64.dll. Registering/unregistering can be done with register.bat and unregister.bat like with 32-bit versions.
WinMerge uses 7-Zip for archive support, but WinMerge installer does not install 7-Zip or archive support. Installing 7-Zip application is recommended but not required for archive support. 7-Zip installer can be downloaded from 7-Zip.org.
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There are 7-Zip MSI installers that do not install all the files WinMerge needs (namely 7zip_pad.xml in 7-Zip program folder). If there are problems with archive support enabling, try running the EXE version of the 7-Zip installer. |
To install archive support, download and install 7-Zip plugin (Merge7zInstaller, see below) from WinMerge.org.
WinMerge automatically detects installed 7-zip in system, there is no need to any configuration.
7-zip integration needs compatible Merge7z*.dll file in WinMerge program directory. * comes from 7-Zip version installed. For example 7-Zip version 4.42 needs Merge7z442.dll. And if WinMergeU.exe (unicode version) is used, then "U" is also added to filename: Merge7z442U.dll. If needed dll file is for some reason missing it can be copied to WinMerge directory, for example from 7z-Plugin archive downloadable in WinMerge download page.
If Merge7z*.dll file is missing, WinMerge informs user with message showing filename of needed file and recommended version of 7-Zip. This message can also be opened from
-menu item " ".This is a stand-alone installer for 7-Zip integration.
Installer filenames may seem weird at first, but there is reason for them: they show supported versions. Filename is formatted Merge7zInstallerXXX-YYY-ZZZ.exe. XXX is build number, YYY earliest 7-Zip version supported and ZZZ latest 7-Zip version supported. For example Merge7zInstaller0014-311-426.exe means build version 14, and support for 7-Zip versions 3.11 - 4.26.
This separate installer is much more flexible since we can update it whenever 7-Zip is updated. And we don't add files users don't need to base installer.
The latest version is always available directly in our downloads at SourceForge.net: 7-Zip plugin and of course from our homepage at WinMerge.org.
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Tip |
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If you want to know immediately when we release new versions, you can Monitor our releases. When monitoring release, you get sent e-mail notifications about new releases when they happen. |
Running installer is simple:
Select installation type and dll files (supported 7-zip versions) to install
Application specific installation copies 7-zip plugin files to program directory. Files are then usable only by that program.
This selection requires user to select executable in directory where plugin files are installed. Select WinMerge executable file when installing to WinMerge directory.
Enable standalone operation installs also required 7-Zip files to program's (application specific installation) directory. This allows minimal usable installation of 7-Zip for archive support. This can be used when 7-Zip application is not wanted or needed.
This installation type does contain only needed files for WinMerge (or other application) to enable archive support. It does not install 7-Zip user interface or other related tools or files. After this install it is not possible to open or create 7-Zip archive files outside WinMerge.