TextDiff is a tool that helps you compare two pieces of text to see what changed. It shows the differences clearly, one word or token at a time. Although it is built using macOS technologies, this guide will explain how to get it running on your Windows PC.
This application is designed so that you do not need to understand programming to use it. You will follow simple steps to download and open the app.
Before starting, make sure your computer meets these requirements:
- Windows 10 or later (32-bit or 64-bit)
- At least 4 GB of RAM
- 200 MB free hard drive space
- An internet connection to download the app
- Basic user permissions to install programs on your PC
You will first download the app, then run it. The steps are straightforward.
Click the big download button below to visit the page where you can get TextDiff.
This link opens a GitHub page. GitHub is where the app files are stored.
Once on the page, look for a section called "Releases" or find a menu item labeled "Releases" at the top or side of the page.
Click it to go to the list of available versions.
Look for a file that ends with ".exe" or ".msi". That is the Windows setup file. It might say something like "TextDiff-Setup.exe" or "TextDiff-Installer.msi".
Click the file to download it to your computer.
After downloading, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file.
Windows might ask you to allow the app to make changes to your computer. Select "Yes" to continue.
Follow the instructions on the screen:
- Choose the folder where you want to install TextDiff
- Click "Next" or "Install" when prompted
- Wait a few moments while the installation completes
- Click "Finish" when done
Find TextDiff in your Start menu or desktop. Click its icon to run the app.
You should now see the main window where you can start comparing text documents.
TextDiff shows differences between two texts, side by side.
- Click the button labeled "Open Left Text" to choose the first file
- Click "Open Right Text" for the second file
You can also copy and paste text into the boxes if you prefer.
Once both texts are loaded, the app highlights what is new, changed, or deleted word by word.
Different colors or marks will show the changes clearly.
Use the arrow buttons to move through each difference step by step.
This helps you understand each change precisely.
If you want to keep a record, use the "Save" or "Export" buttons to create a file with the comparison results.
You can choose common formats like PDF or plain text.
TextDiff allows you to adjust a few options:
- Change highlight colors for added or deleted text
- Switch between dark and light themes
- Set how many words to show around each change
- Choose whether to ignore spaces or case when comparing
Access settings via the gear icon or the menu bar.
If the app does not open or crashes, try these steps:
- Restart your computer and try again
- Make sure Windows is up to date
- Uninstall and reinstall TextDiff
- Check your antivirus or firewall does not block the app
- Ensure you run the latest version from the Releases page
If you continue to have trouble, visit the Issues tab on the GitHub page and search for help.
Return to the GitHub page anytime to get updates or report problems:
This app focuses on showing differences clearly and simply. It does not edit your text or files. Always keep backup copies of your documents before making changes.
TextDiff works best with plain text files. It can also handle common formats like .txt and .md files. Complex formats, such as PDFs or Word documents, may not compare accurately.
You can open multiple files and compare them one by one.
This version of TextDiff uses macOS tools internally but has been repackaged here for Windows users. Expect smooth performance on supported Windows systems.