01
Browse
Open dialog tip
Cannot select a folder in Browse
Browse into the folder, leave nested items unselected, click Open when Folder Selection appears. Or type a random unused name and Open.
Help center
Guides & troubleshooting
Practical fixes for Browse quirks, line endings, Quick Contents, and AV noise.
Playbook mesh
Four fixes that unblock most sessions
Each card is a real WinMerge path from symptom to the next action.
02
Compare
CRLF vs LF
Every line looks different
Enable Ignore carriage return differences under Edit, Options, Compare, then re-run.
03
Folders
Quick Contents
Folder says different, file says identical
Raise Quick Contents threshold, refresh, then double-click for a full file compare.
04
Security
SHA-256 first
Antivirus warnings
Verify SHA-256, re-download from the winmerge.co Download page, prefer per-user installer if elevation is blocked.
Select Files or Folders
Start here when paths will not stick in Browse. Open the dialog, enter the folder, then confirm Folder Selection.
Ready for the stable build?
Grab WinMerge 2.16.56.2 for your Windows architecture.