The freeware (see Conditions of Use and Distribution below) program on this page is a useful little program that adds an easy way to see if two files on your computer are the same. Whilst there are many programs available that can do this, what "Hillyheights File Comparer" does is provide an easy always-accessible solution on the "Send To" menu. The result is shown as a flash-up window that lasts for 2½ seconds.

As you can see, there is no indication of the differences, but for a lot of uses all you want to know is if they are the same or not.

Once you've followed the installation procedure below, there is a item on your "Sent To" menu as show in the example below:

All you do is "send" it one file, and then "send" it another and the result is flashed up. (For other information go to Advanced Instructions .)

1. Just download the installer file by clicking the image above.
2. Virus check it - you do check ALL your downloads don't you.
3. Run the installer, agree to the term and conditions, and close the installer.
   

That's it. A shortcut will have been added to your "Send To" menu. If you wish to add the shortcut to other users' accounts (Windows XP only), the easiest way is to run the installer from their accounts.

(To uninstall see Uninstallation .)

These are as agreed to during the installation.

This program may be used and distributed only under the following terms and conditions:

DISCLAIMER
File Compare is supplied as is. The user accepts all liability for establishing if File Compare is fit for any purpose.

DISTRIBUTION and USE
The program must not be sold or bartered or distributed in any way whereby the receiving party has to pay to receive the program. The program may be distributed entirely free of any change provided that the site http://www.hillyheights.co.uk is acknowledged as the source. The program may be freely used by any individual or organisation. You may register the product by e-mail to comp(a)hillyheights.co.uk.

REDISTRIBUTION
You agree to impose these conditions on any persons to whom you pass File Compare. Including that they in turn agree to impose these conditions on all subsequent recipients.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
The program is owned by Colin Hill and protected by UK and International Copyright laws.

NO DISASSEMBLY OR ALTERATION
The program must not be disassembled, decompiled or altered in any way without the express permission of the Author.

If you're happy just to use the software, then there is no need to read on.

The program behaves differently depending on how many parameters it is passed.

• If no parameters are passed the program exits and does nothing.
  
• If one parameter (i.e. a file name)  is passed, it records it in the Windows Registry with the time.
• If one parameter is passed again, within 30 seconds, it tries to open both files and displays the result of a comparison in a box for 2.5 seconds. If 30 seconds have passed, it records the file name as if it were the first file; thus it resynchronises itself.
• If two parameters are passed (hopefully file names), it compares them both and displays the result. This can be achieved by using the CTRL key to highlight two files and then using "Send To".
• If more than two parameters are passed, the program does nothing.

The figures of 30s and 2.5s can be altered by editing the Registry values under
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\hillyheights\File Compare.

If you wish to remove File Comparer use the "Add / Remove programs" icon from the Control Panel. This will remove both the program and the "Send To" entry.

Home