Comparing directories in Windows, what built-in tools to use?

"Does it only compare file size?

From the website you link to , it 'displays the individual characters that differ.'

If the files are of different sizes, then by default no further comparison is needed or made. If the files are the same size, it compares byte by byte and displays the first few changes.

You can also use fc /b which doesn't have the annoying 'compare more files prompt at the end'.

But, if I was doing this, I would use Beyond Compare. This can be run on the server, but does not have to be installed on the server, ie you can create a portable version that will run from a cd /usb stick or from a network location. (And obviously you can also install to a local machine and access the files across the network.)"

"COMP compares the contents of files, byte by byte.

But there are plenty of better tools for comparing directories. WinDiff and KDiff3 are the first that spring to mind."