Notepad++ is one of the most popular text editors for Windows. It’s fast, lightweight, and easy to use. Many developers, writers, and editors rely on it to handle everything from code editing to quick note-taking.
One of its best features is the ability to compare two files side by side. This helps you spot differences between versions of code, documents, or text files. You don’t even need to install a heavy tool for that — all you need is the Compare Plugin for Notepad++.
Why Compare Files in Notepad++
File comparison is useful whenever you need to see what has changed between two versions of a file. Developers often use it to check changes in source code. Writers use it to spot edits in drafts. Even system admins use it to compare configuration files after updates.
Notepad++ makes this easy because it supports a plugin system. Once you add the Compare Plugin, you can instantly highlight differences between files without leaving the editor. It’s quick, accurate, and saves a lot of time.
Installing the Compare Plugin
Before you can compare files, you’ll need to install the Compare Plugin. The process takes only a few minutes.
- Open Notepad++ on your computer.
- In the top menu, click Plugins and then choose Plugins Admin.
- In the search box, type Compare.
- When the Compare Plugin appears in the list, check its box and click Install.
- Notepad++ will restart automatically once the installation finishes.
If you’re using an older version of Notepad++, you may see Plugin Manager instead of Plugins Admin, but the steps are similar. After installation, you’ll find the Compare option inside the Plugins menu.
How to Compare Two Files in Notepad++
Once the plugin is installed, comparing files is simple.
Start by opening the two files you want to check. Make sure both are open in Notepad++ tabs. Then follow these steps:
- Click Plugins on the top menu.
- Go to Compare and select Compare again from the dropdown.
Notepad++ will automatically open both files side by side in a split view. Differences between the files are highlighted with colors. This makes it easy to spot where text was added, removed, or changed.
Understanding the Comparison Results
When you compare two files, Notepad++ highlights each difference with color.
Here’s what each color usually means:
- Red lines show text that appears only in the first file.
- Green lines mark text that appears only in the second file.
- Yellow or blue lines indicate lines that differ between both files.
You can scroll through both files, and Notepad++ will keep them synced. When you scroll one file, the other moves along, so matching lines stay aligned. This makes checking differences smoother and faster.
Extra Features in the Compare Plugin
The Compare Plugin offers several tools to make comparison easier.
You can:
- Use the navigation arrows to jump directly between differences.
- Turn on synchronized scrolling so both files move together.
- Use merge options to copy changes from one file to the other.
- Ignore whitespace differences, which is helpful for comparing code or formatted text.
All these settings can be found under Plugins > Compare > Options. You can adjust them depending on how detailed you want your comparisons to be.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Sometimes users don’t see the plugin after installing it. If that happens, check that you’re running the latest version of Notepad++. Outdated versions may not fully support Plugins Admin.
If the Compare Plugin still doesn’t appear, reinstall it or make sure Notepad++ has permission to install plugins. On older systems, running it as an administrator can help.
If color highlights don’t show up, open the Compare options and reset the color settings to default.
Bonus Tip: Use a Shortcut Key
You can quickly compare two open files using a shortcut. The default key is Alt + D.
If that shortcut doesn’t work on your system, go to Settings > Shortcut Mapper > Compare. There, you can assign your own shortcut combination to run the comparison faster next time.
Conclusion
The Compare Plugin turns Notepad++ into a simple but powerful difference checker. Whether you’re reviewing code, checking document edits, or comparing configuration files, it makes the process fast and clear.
With color highlights, side-by-side view, and merge options, you can track changes in seconds. Once you set it up, it becomes one of those tools you’ll use constantly; small, free, and incredibly useful inside Notepad++.
