# WinMerge changelog

> Visual file and folder comparison and merging for Windows.

- Vendor: WinMerge
- Category: Developer Tools
- Platforms: Windows
- Official site: https://winmerge.org
- Tracked by: What's New (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge)
- Harvested from: GitHub (WinMerge/winmerge)
- Entries below: 10 (newest first)

What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog.

## Releases

### v2.16.58 — v2.16.58 (2026.07)

- Date: 2026-07-27
- Version: v2.16.58
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.58
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.58
- Labels: Platforms: Windows

- **fixed** — Fix crash (Access Violation) when file changes externally over a given threshold
- **fixed** — Fix parts of the panes becoming black text on a black background after copying changes in 3-way merge mode
- **fixed** — Fix archive vs folder comparison selecting the wrong source
- **fixed** — Fix HICON resource leaks in image list initialization
- **fixed** — Handle exceptions raised while creating the common file dialog
- **fixed** — Fix MRU handling for three-way comparisons
- **added** — Add support for generating a single HTML report from multiple file comparisons
- **added** — Add a file list with checkboxes to the Generate Patch dialog
- **added** — Add support for creating comparison archives
- **added** — Add /g command line option for single-instance groups
- **fixed** — Fix file mapping failures that could incorrectly trigger a crash
- **added** — Add module-relative offsets to crash log stack traces
- **fixed** — Avoid crash by using GetFullLineLength() to avoid accessing line EOL directly
- **fixed** — Fix incorrect caret position in status bar
- **fixed** — Clear sync points before reloading compare files
- **fixed** — Fix assertion failure on empty buffer access when all lines are deleted from a pane
- **added** — Add display line filter bar for file compare window
- **changed** — Improve syntax highlighting with Tree-sitter integration for better support of multiple languages
- **fixed** — Fix crash when trying to delete a left-only or right-only file during renaming
- **fixed** — Fix ZIP export including unchanged files in subfolders

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.58/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.58 Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.58?](#what-is-new-in-21658)
* [What Is New in 2.16.57 Beta?](#what-is-new-in-21657-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

July 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge 2.16.58 stable release.
This release replaces earlier WinMerge stable releases as a recommended release.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.58?

###### File compare

* BugFix: Crash (Access Violation) when file changes externally over a given
    threshold (#3456, PR #3457)

* BugFix: Parts of the panes become black text on a black background after
    copying changes in 3-way merge mode (#3468, #3469)

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Fix archive vs folder comparison selecting the wrong source
    (#3449, PR #3458)

* BugFix: Fix HICON resource leaks in image list initialization

###### Select files or folders dialog

* BugFix: Handle exceptions raised while creating the common file dialog
    (#3462, PR #3464)

* BugFix: Fix MRU handling for three-way comparisons. (#3452)

###### File Compare Report

* Add support for generating a single HTML report from multiple file
    comparisons (PR #3450)

###### Patch Generation

* Add a file list with checkboxes to the Generate Patch dialog (PR #3470)

###### Archive Generation

* Add support for creating comparison archives (PR #3483)

###### Command line

* Add /g command line option for single-instance groups (PR #3472)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:

  * Brazilian (PR #3459, PR #3476, PR #3489)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3460, PR #3479)
  * French (PR #3478, PR #3491)
  * German (PR #3480, PR #3486)
  * Italian (PR #3455, PR #3473, PR #3477, PR #3488)
  * Japanese
  * Korean (PR #3447, PR #3481, PR #3487)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3461, PR #3471, PR #3492)
  * Polish (PR #3463, PR #3490)
  * Turkish (PR #3465, PR #3474)
  * Russian (PR #3448, PR #3484)

##### What Is New in 2.16.57 Beta?

###### General

* BugFix: Fixed an issue where file mapping failures could incorrectly trigger a crash (#3412)

* Add module-relative offsets to crash log stack traces

###### File compare

* BugFix: Avoid crash (issue #3402) by using GetFullLineLength() to avoid accessing line EOL directly

* BugFix: Fix incorrect caret position in status bar

* BugFix: Clear sync points before reloading compare files

* BugFix: Fix assertion failure on empty buffer access when all lines are deleted from a pane

* Add display line filter bar for file compare window (PR #3374)

* Improve syntax highlighting with Tree-sitter integration for better support of multiple languages (PR #3306, PR #3337, PR #3338, PR #3350, PR #3415, PR #3427, PR #3440)

* Refactor syntax parsing behind ISyntaxParser interface (PR #3415)

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Crash when trying to delete a "left-only" or "right-only" file during renaming (#3411)

* BugFix: ZIP export includes unchanged files in subfolders (#3444, PR#3445)

* Refactor filter evaluation parameters with new EvalContext for better code maintainability (PR #3353)

###### Archive support

* BugFix: Fix error dialogs when comparing two Rar4 files (#3392)

* Update 7-Zip to 26.02

###### Select Files or Folders dialog

* Add support for clipboard URL comparison and clipboard history menu (PR #3352)

###### Plugins

* Add HandleSchemeClipboard plugin (PR #3352)

###### Project files

* Warn user before opening project files containing plugin arguments for security reasons (PR #3397, #3396)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:

  * Brazilian (PR #3431)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3429, PR #3438)
  * Chinese Traditional (PR #3426)
  * Corsican (PR #3420)
  * French (PR #3393, PR #3406, PR #3408, PR #343

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.58]_

### v2.16.57 — v2.16.57 (2026.07)

- Date: 2026-07-05
- Version: v2.16.57
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.57
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.57
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Windows

- **fixed** — Fixed an issue where file mapping failures could incorrectly trigger a crash
- **added** — Add module-relative offsets to crash log stack traces
- **fixed** — Avoid crash by using GetFullLineLength() to avoid accessing line EOL directly
- **fixed** — Fix incorrect caret position in status bar
- **fixed** — Clear sync points before reloading compare files
- **fixed** — Fix assertion failure on empty buffer access when all lines are deleted from a pane
- **added** — Add display line filter bar for file compare window
- **changed** — Improve syntax highlighting with Tree-sitter integration for better support of multiple languages
- **changed** — Refactor syntax parsing behind ISyntaxParser interface
- **fixed** — Crash when trying to delete a left-only or right-only file during renaming
- **fixed** — ZIP export includes unchanged files in subfolders
- **changed** — Refactor filter evaluation parameters with new EvalContext for better code maintainability
- **fixed** — Fix error dialogs when comparing two Rar4 files
- **changed** — Update 7-Zip to 26.02
- **added** — Add support for clipboard URL comparison and clipboard history menu
- **added** — Add HandleSchemeClipboard plugin
- **added** — Warn user before opening project files containing plugin arguments for security reasons
- **fixed** — Preserve tree expansion and UI state after refresh
- **fixed** — Do not convert drive-relative paths like C: to C:\
- **fixed** — Fix incorrect copy when selection ends inside a word diff

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.57/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.57 Beta Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.57 Beta?](#what-is-new-in-21657-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

July 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge beta release which is meant for preview the current state of
WinMerge development. This release is not recommended for the production.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.57 Beta?

###### General

* BugFix: Fixed an issue where file mapping failures could incorrectly trigger a crash (#3412)

* Add module-relative offsets to crash log stack traces

###### File compare

* BugFix: Avoid crash (issue #3402) by using GetFullLineLength() to avoid accessing line EOL directly

* BugFix: Fix incorrect caret position in status bar

* BugFix: Clear sync points before reloading compare files

* BugFix: Fix assertion failure on empty buffer access when all lines are deleted from a pane

* Add display line filter bar for file compare window (PR #3374)

* Improve syntax highlighting with Tree-sitter integration for better support of multiple languages (PR #3306, PR #3337, PR #3338, PR #3350, PR #3415, PR #3427, PR #3440)

* Refactor syntax parsing behind ISyntaxParser interface (PR #3415)

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Crash when trying to delete a "left-only" or "right-only" file during renaming (#3411)

* BugFix: ZIP export includes unchanged files in subfolders (#3445)

* Refactor filter evaluation parameters with new EvalContext for better code maintainability (PR #3353)

###### Archive support

* BugFix: Fix error dialogs when comparing two Rar4 files (#3392)

* Update 7-Zip to 26.02

###### Select Files or Folders dialog

* Add support for clipboard URL comparison and clipboard history menu (PR #3352)

###### Plugins

* Add HandleSchemeClipboard plugin (PR #3352)

###### Project files

* Warn user before opening project files containing plugin arguments for security reasons (PR #3397, #3396)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:

  * Brazilian (PR #3431)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3429, PR #3438)
  * Chinese Traditional (PR #3426)
  * Corsican (PR #3420)
  * French (PR #3393, PR #3406, PR #3408, PR #3435)
  * German (PR #3432)
  * Italian (PR #3399, PR #3434, PR #3446)
  * Korean (PR #3422, PR #3433)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3405, PR #3439)
  * Polish (PR #3418, PR #3430)
  * Portuguese (PR #3391, PR #3414)
  * Russian (PR #3395, PR #3428)
  * Spanish (PR #3421, PR #3423, PR #3424, PR #3425)
  * Turkish (PR #3403, PR #3436)

##### Known issues

* Pressing OK in the Options window while the INI file specified by /inifile is open for comparison in WinMerge may corrupt the file. (#2685)
* Suggestion to make the result of image comparison more reliable (#1391)
* Crashes when comparing large files (#325)
* Very slow to compare significantly different directories (#322)
* Vertical scrollbar breaks after pasting text (#296)

-----------------------------------------------------
##### What's Changed
* Update French Translation by @t3chnob0y in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3347
* Update Russian.po by @Timon34 in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3348
* Update Korean by @VenusGirl in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3349
* Add clipboard URL handler and clipboard history menu by @sdottaka in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3352
* Refactor: Introduce EvalContext to unify filter evaluation parameters by @sdottaka in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3353
* Update Brazilian.po by @Marcellomco in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3355
* Italian language update by @bovirus in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3357
* Fix incorrect copy when selection ends inside a word diff by @sdottaka in https://github.com/

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.57]_

### v2.16.56.2 — v2.16.56.2 (2026.05)

- Date: 2026-05-27
- Version: v2.16.56.2
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.56.2
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.56.2
- Labels: Platforms: Windows

- **fixed** — Fix incorrect copy when selection ends inside a word diff
- **fixed** — Skip invisible lines in search/replace
- **fixed** — Fix text misalignment and repaint artifacts when toggling line numbers in word wrap mode
- **fixed** — Fix crash in 3-pane diff when move block detection is enabled
- **fixed** — Preserve tree expansion and UI state after refresh
- **fixed** — Do not convert drive-relative paths like C: to C:\
- **fixed** — Show Right only files when showing left/right only
- **fixed** — Image compare remembers the state of the Blink toggle between sessions
- **added** — Add override option for unrestricted Image Compare
- **fixed** — Fix missing Unpacked file extension value in Edit Plugin dialog
- **changed** — Update 7-Zip to 26.01
- **fixed** — Fix missing Vietnamese WinMerge translation in installer
- **added** — Show error message when entering invalid path in header bar
- **added** — Add recent items and clipboard history to header bar menu
- **added** — Add Folder comparison mode with archive extraction support
- **added** — Add codepage filter UI and hasbom field support
- **changed** — Use 7-Zip IsArc API for archive detection and refactor format guessing logic
- **changed** — Prioritize explicitly selected plugins over archive detection

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.56.2/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.56.2 Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.56.2](#what-is-new-in-216562)
* [What Is New in 2.16.56](#what-is-new-in-21656)
* [What Is New in 2.16.55 beta?](#what-is-new-in-21655-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

May 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge 2.16.56.2 stable release.
This release replaces earlier WinMerge stable releases as a recommended release.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.56.2

###### File compare

* BugFix: Fix incorrect copy when selection ends inside a word diff (PR #3358)

* BugFix: Skip invisible lines in search/replace

* BugFix: Fix text misalignment and repaint artifacts when toggling line numbers in word wrap mode

* BugFix: Fix crash in 3-pane diff when move block detection is enabled

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Preserve tree expansion and UI state after refresh (#3366,PR #3369)

* BugFix: Do not convert drive-relative paths like `C:` to `C:\` (PR #3373)

* BugFix: "Right only files" missing when showing left/right only (#3378)

###### Image compare

* BugFix: Image compare does not remember the state of the "Blink" toggle between sessions (#3368)

* BugFix: [FEATURE] override option for unrestricted Image Compare (#3382)

###### Plugins

* BugFix: Fix missing "Unpacked file extension" value in Edit Plugin dialog

###### Archive support

* Update 7-Zip to 26.01

###### Installer

* Fixed missing Vietnamese WinMerge translation in installer

###### Translations

* Translation updates:

  * French (PR #3347)
  * Korean (PR #3349)
  * Russian (PR #3348)

##### What Is New in 2.16.56

###### General

* Show error message when entering invalid path in header bar (PR #3322)

* Add recent items and clipboard history to header bar menu (PR #3330)

###### Folder compare

* Add Folder comparison mode with archive extraction support (PR #3320)

* Refactor: unify open parameters and move recurse to OpenFolderParams (PR #3326)

* Add codepage filter UI and hasbom field support (PR #3318)

###### Archive support

* Use 7-Zip IsArc API for archive detection and refactor format guessing logic (PR #3323)

* Prioritize explicitly selected plugins over archive detection (PR #3324)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:
  * Brazilian (PR #3328,#3341)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3307,#3331,#3344)
  * French (PR #3312)
  * German (PR #3329)
  * Italian (PR #3335,#3342)
  * Korean (PR #3334)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3308)
  * Russian (PR #3309)
  * Turkish (PR #3333)

###### Documentation

* Update Italian documentation (PR #3319)

* Update French manual (PR #3325)

##### What Is New in 2.16.55 Beta

###### General

* Fix incorrect GetAsyncKeyState usage for modifier key detection (PR #3257)

* Update POCO C++ Libraries to 1.15.1 (PR #3292)

###### File compare

* BugFix: Fix keyboard input issue after Alt+mouse operations (PR #3254)

* BugFix: Register self-compare in MRU and refactor command line parameter
    buil… (PR #3266)

* Refactor save confirmation logic using SaveClosingDlg::ShowAndSave
    (PR #3256)

* Enable IME text reconversion in editor view (PR #3214)
    
###### Image compare

* BugFix: Fix crash caused by OnClose being called twice in image compare
    window (PR #3255)

* Speedup image comparision slider during WipeEffect (PR winimerge/#33)

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Fix an issue where skipped items were not properly filtered during
    folder/file comparison. (PR #3267)

* BugFix: Fix potential hang in DiffWorker shutdown (PR #3300)

* Extend “Merge renamed items” option to support moved items (PR #3181)

* Refactor compare engines to use DiffContext (PR #3197)

* Refactor compare engines to write results into DIFFITE

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.56.2]_

### v2.16.56 — v2.16.56 (2026.04)

- Date: 2026-04-27
- Version: v2.16.56
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.56
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.56
- Labels: Platforms: Windows

- **added** — Show error message when entering invalid path in header bar
- **added** — Add recent items and clipboard history to header bar menu
- **added** — Add Folder comparison mode with archive extraction support
- **added** — Add codepage filter UI and hasbom field support
- **changed** — Use 7-Zip IsArc API for archive detection and refactor format guessing logic
- **changed** — Prioritize explicitly selected plugins over archive detection
- **changed** — Unify open parameters and move recurse to OpenFolderParams
- **fixed** — Fix incorrect GetAsyncKeyState usage for modifier key detection
- **fixed** — Fix keyboard input issue after Alt+mouse operations
- **fixed** — Fix crash caused by OnClose being called twice in image compare window
- **fixed** — Fix an issue where skipped items were not properly filtered during folder/file comparison
- **fixed** — Fix potential hang in DiffWorker shutdown
- **changed** — Update POCO C++ Libraries to 1.15.1
- **added** — Enable IME text reconversion in editor view
- **changed** — Extend Merge renamed items option to support moved items
- **added** — Add e:/e!: filter prefixes for files and directories
- **added** — Add replaceWithList and regexReplaceWithList filter functions
- **added** — Add Replace Lists menu for Rename/Move detection keys
- **added** — Add directives (@cs, @ci, @name) to filter expressions
- **added** — Add Filter by This Column to folder view header context menu

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.56/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.56 Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.56](#what-is-new-in-21656)
* [What Is New in 2.16.55 beta?](#what-is-new-in-21655-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

April 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge 2.16.56 stable release.
This release replaces earlier WinMerge stable releases as a recommended release.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.56

###### General

* Show error message when entering invalid path in header bar (PR #3322)

* Add recent items and clipboard history to header bar menu (PR #3330)

###### Folder compare

* Add Folder comparison mode with archive extraction support (PR #3320)

* Refactor: unify open parameters and move recurse to OpenFolderParams (PR #3326)

* Add codepage filter UI and hasbom field support (PR #3318)

###### Archive support

* Use 7-Zip IsArc API for archive detection and refactor format guessing logic (PR #3323)

* Prioritize explicitly selected plugins over archive detection (PR #3324)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:
  * Brazilian (PR #3328,#3341)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3307,#3331,#3344)
  * French (PR #3312)
  * German (PR #3329)
  * Italian (PR #3335,#3342)
  * Korean (PR #3334)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3308)
  * Russian (PR #3309)
  * Turkish (PR #3333)

###### Documentation

* Update Italian documentation (PR #3319)

* Update French manual (PR #3325)

##### What Is New in 2.16.55 Beta

###### General

* Fix incorrect GetAsyncKeyState usage for modifier key detection (PR #3257)

* Update POCO C++ Libraries to 1.15.1 (PR #3292)

###### File compare

* BugFix: Fix keyboard input issue after Alt+mouse operations (PR #3254)

* BugFix: Register self-compare in MRU and refactor command line parameter
    buil… (PR #3266)

* Refactor save confirmation logic using SaveClosingDlg::ShowAndSave
    (PR #3256)

* Enable IME text reconversion in editor view (PR #3214)
    
###### Image compare

* BugFix: Fix crash caused by OnClose being called twice in image compare
    window (PR #3255)

* Speedup image comparision slider during WipeEffect (PR winimerge/#33)

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Fix an issue where skipped items were not properly filtered during
    folder/file comparison. (PR #3267)

* BugFix: Fix potential hang in DiffWorker shutdown (PR #3300)

* Extend “Merge renamed items” option to support moved items (PR #3181)

* Refactor compare engines to use DiffContext (PR #3197)

* Refactor compare engines to write results into DIFFITEM and add
    FullQuickCompare (PR #3201)
    
* Add e:/e!: filter prefixes for files and directories (PR #3205)

* Add replaceWithList and regexReplaceWithList filter functions (PR #3213)

* Add Replace Lists menu for Rename/Move detection keys (PR #3215)

* Make replace and replaceWithList case-insensitive (PR #3222)

* Add directives (`@cs`, `@ci`, `@name`) to filter expressions (PR #3253)

* Add "Filter by This Column" to folder view header context menu (PR #3268)

* Add display filter attributes and UI for filtering by comparison results
    (PR #3284)

* Add ability to hide empty folders in tree mode (PR #3293)

* Add Unpacker and Prediffer fields to file filter expressions (PR #3295)

* Enable dynamic increase/decrease of compare threads (PR #3304)

###### Plugins

* Add PrettifyPO and ValidatePO plugins for .po/.pot files (PR #3190)

* Feature request: In CompareMSExcelFiles do not append a sheet order number
    to individual tsv, txt or html files (#3212)

* Add CFR Java decompiler plugin for .class file comparison (PR #3242,#3243)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:
  * Brazilian (PR #3185,#3194,#3219,#3231,#3245,#3275,#3287,#3303)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3183,#3191,#

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.56]_

### Merge7z

- Date: 2026-04-17
- Version: Merge7z
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/Merge7z
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/merge7z
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Windows

### v2.16.55 — v2.16.55 (2026.04)

- Date: 2026-04-05
- Version: v2.16.55
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.55
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.55
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Windows

- **fixed** — Fix incorrect GetAsyncKeyState usage for modifier key detection
- **changed** — Update POCO C++ Libraries to 1.15.1
- **fixed** — Fix keyboard input issue after Alt+mouse operations
- **fixed** — Register self-compare in MRU and refactor command line parameter building
- **changed** — Refactor save confirmation logic using SaveClosingDlg::ShowAndSave
- **added** — Enable IME text reconversion in editor view
- **fixed** — Fix crash caused by OnClose being called twice in image compare window
- **changed** — Speedup image comparison slider during WipeEffect
- **fixed** — Fix an issue where skipped items were not properly filtered during folder/file comparison
- **fixed** — Fix potential hang in DiffWorker shutdown
- **changed** — Extend Merge renamed items option to support moved items
- **changed** — Refactor compare engines to use DiffContext
- **changed** — Refactor compare engines to write results into DIFFITEM and add FullQuickCompare
- **added** — Add e:/e!: filter prefixes for files and directories
- **added** — Add replaceWithList and regexReplaceWithList filter functions
- **added** — Add Replace Lists menu for Rename/Move detection keys
- **changed** — Make replace and replaceWithList case-insensitive
- **added** — Add directives (@cs, @ci, @name) to filter expressions
- **added** — Add Filter by This Column to folder view header context menu
- **added** — Add display filter attributes and UI for filtering by comparison results

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.55/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.55 Beta Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.55 beta?](#what-is-new-in-21655-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

April 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge beta release which is meant for preview the current state of
WinMerge development. This release is not recommended for production environments.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.55 Beta

###### General

* Fix incorrect GetAsyncKeyState usage for modifier key detection (PR #3257)

* Update POCO C++ Libraries to 1.15.1 (PR #3292)

###### File compare

* BugFix: Fix keyboard input issue after Alt+mouse operations (PR #3254)

* BugFix: Register self-compare in MRU and refactor command line parameter
    buil… (PR #3266)
    
* Refactor save confirmation logic using SaveClosingDlg::ShowAndSave
    (PR #3256)

* Enable IME text reconversion in editor view (PR #3214)
    
###### Image compare

* BugFix: Fix crash caused by OnClose being called twice in image compare
    window (PR #3255)

* Speedup image comparision slider during WipeEffect (PR winimerge/#33)

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Fix an issue where skipped items were not properly filtered during
    folder/file comparison. (PR #3267)

* BugFix: Fix potential hang in DiffWorker shutdown (PR #3300)

* Extend “Merge renamed items” option to support moved items (PR #3181)

* Refactor compare engines to use DiffContext (PR #3197)

* Refactor compare engines to write results into DIFFITEM and add
    FullQuickCompare (PR #3201)
    
* Add e:/e!: filter prefixes for files and directories (PR #3205)

* Add replaceWithList and regexReplaceWithList filter functions (PR #3213)

* Add Replace Lists menu for Rename/Move detection keys (PR #3215)

* Make replace and replaceWithList case-insensitive (PR #3222)

* Add directives (`@cs`, `@ci`, `@name`) to filter expressions (PR #3253)

* Add "Filter by This Column" to folder view header context menu (PR #3268)

* Add display filter attributes and UI for filtering by comparison results
    (PR #3284)

* Add ability to hide empty folders in tree mode (PR #3293)

* Add Unpacker and Prediffer fields to file filter expressions (PR #3295)

* Enable dynamic increase/decrease of compare threads (PR #3304)

###### Plugins

* Add PrettifyPO and ValidatePO plugins for .po/.pot files (PR #3190)

* Feature request: In CompareMSExcelFiles do not append a sheet order number
    to individual tsv, txt or html files (#3212)

* Add CFR Java decompiler plugin for .class file comparison (PR #3242,#3243)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:
  * Brazilian (PR #3185,#3194,#3219,#3231,#3245,#3275,#3287,#3303)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3183,#3191,#3220,#3228,#3244)
  * Corsican (PR #3259,#3299)
  * French (PR #3239)
  * German (PR #3187,#3196,#3217,#3232,#3237,#3251,#3274,#3288,#3297)
  * Hungarian (PR #3186,#3238,#3252)
  * Italian (PR #3199,#3218,#3229,#3235,#3236,#3246,#3249,#3269,#3272,#3285,#3302)
  * Japanese (PR #3258)
  * Korean (PR #3247,#3279,#3301)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3184,#3192,#3230,#3276,#3290)
  * Polish (PR #3233,#3273)
  * Russian (PR #3226,#3281)
  * Turkish (PR #3204,#3221,#3227,#3250,#3271,#3286,#3298)
  * Ukrainian (PR #)

###### Documentation

* Added: Community standard files (like issue templates, pr template).
    (PR #3225)

* Add context IDs to PO files & strip comments for releases (PR #3296)

##### Known issues

* Pressing OK in the Options window while the INI file specified by /inifile is open for comparison in WinMerge may corrupt the file. (#2685)
* Suggestion to make the result of image comparison more reliable (#1391)
* Crashes when comparing large files (#325)
* Very slow to compare significantly different directories (#322

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.55]_

### v2.16.54.2 — v2.16.54.2 (2026.02)

- Date: 2026-02-27
- Version: v2.16.54.2
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.54.2
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.54.2
- Labels: Platforms: Windows

- **added** — Add automatic crash detection and reporting
- **fixed** — Fix white flash after opening WinMerge with Dark Mode
- **fixed** — Fix 'Expand all subfolders' not working when rename/move detection is enabled
- **fixed** — Fix incorrect results or crashes during recompare when 'Merge renamed items into a single item' is enabled
- **fixed** — Fix Comparison Result showing 0 items after selecting 'Refresh Selected' from folder comparison context menu when rename/move detection is enabled
- **fixed** — Fix folder comparison window not updating after saving renamed files in file comparison
- **fixed** — Fix incorrect file comparison being opened for rename/move items in 3-way folder comparison
- **fixed** — Prevent sorting while directory comparison is in progress
- **fixed** — Delay file opening on double-click to prevent leftover clicks from affecting other windows
- **fixed** — Display each file extension when merged renamed items have different extensions
- **fixed** — Optimize column reloading and fix ReflectGetdispinfo-related crash
- **fixed** — Fix text box sizing in Options dialog
- **fixed** — Fix handling of empty replacement arguments in the Replace plugin
- **fixed** — Fix incorrect substitution of plugin arguments by properly parsing the argument string
- **changed** — Update 7-zip to 26.00
- **fixed** — Fix Cyrillic shortcuts not working for main menu keyboard shortcuts
- **fixed** — Fix 2 recent-entries per project
- **changed** — Update expat to version 2.7.3
- **added** — Add logInfo, logWarn, logError functions to filter expressions
- **added** — Add new filter expression functions (if, ifEach, choose, chooseEach, andEach, orEach, notEach)
- **added** — Add BaseName, IsFolder and new string transformation functions to filters
- **added** — Add experimental customizable rename/move detection for folder comparison
- **fixed** — Fix Add-AppxPackage failure if path ends with backslash
- **removed** — Remove build-time tools (lemon.exe, re2c.exe) from the installer package
- **added** — Add Display Filter to Folder Compare
- **added** — Add folder statistics filter attributes and helper menu
- **added** — Introduce isWithin() and inRange() for explicit inclusive/exclusive range checks
- **added** — Allow comparing files by editing header path
- **added** — Implement async binary comparison for 'Selected files are identical' dialog
- **fixed** — Fix crash when an error occurs while opening files in the binary comparison window
- **changed** — Update freeimage to 3.19.10
- **fixed** — Fix garbled filenames displayed in Web comparison tabs and header bar
- **fixed** — Fix unexpected file closure when moving files from a comparison
- **added** — Add option to select user data location (AppData or Documents)
- **changed** — Replace line breaks with space in MSExcel formulas in CompareMSExcelFiles
- **changed** — Update jq to 1.8.1

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.54.2/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.54.2 Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.54.2](#what-is-new-in-216542)
* [What Is New in 2.16.54](#what-is-new-in-21654)
* [What Is New in 2.16.53 beta?](#what-is-new-in-21653-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

February 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge 2.16.54.2 stable release.
This release replaces earlier WinMerge stable releases as a recommended release.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.54.2

###### General

* Add automatic crash detection and reporting (PR #3167)

###### Appearance

* BugFix: white flash after opening WinMerge with Dark Mode (#3210)

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: Fixed “Expand all subfolders” not working when rename/move detection
    is enabled
* BugFix: Fixed incorrect results or crashes during recompare (F5) when
   "Merge renamed items into a single item" is enabled
* BugFix: Fixed an issue where the Comparison Result showed 0 items after
    selecting “Refresh Selected” from the folder comparison context menu when
    rename/move detection is enabled
* BugFix: Fixed the folder comparison window not updating after saving renamed
    files in file comparison
* BugFix: Fixed incorrect file comparison being opened for rename/move items
    in 3-way folder comparison
* BugFix: Prevent sorting while directory comparison is in progress
* BugFix: Delayed file opening on double-click to prevent leftover clicks from
    affecting other windows
* BugFix: Display each file extension when merged renamed items have different
    extensions
* BugFix: Optimized column reloading and fixed a ReflectGetdispinfo-related
    crash

###### Options dialog

* BugFix: Request to resize text boxes (#3163)

###### Plugins

* BugFix: Fixed handling of empty replacement arguments in the Replace plugin
* BugFix: Fixed incorrect substitution of plugin arguments (${1}, ${2}, …) by
    properly parsing the argument string

###### Archive support

* Update 7-zip to 26.00

###### Manual

* Fixes and completion of French translation including complete Manual
    (PR #3182)

###### Translations

* Translation updates:
  * Brazilian (#3164,PR #3171)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3161,#3169)
  * French (PR #3165,#3182)
  * German (PR #3175)
  * Hungarian (PR #3173)
  * Italian (PR #3170)
  * Japanese
  * Korean (PR #3157)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3177)
  * Polish (PR #3158,#3176)
  * Portuguese (PR #3179)
  * Russian (PR #3159,#3160)
  * Turkish (PR #3178)

##### What Is New in 2.16.54

###### General

* BugFix: Cyrilic shortcuts do not work for main menukeyboard shortcuts
* BugFix: 2 recent-entries per project (#2990)
* Updated expat to version 2.7.3

###### Folder compare

* Add logInfo, logWarn, logError functions to filter expressions (PR #3131)
* Add new filter expression functions
    (if, ifEach, choose, chooseEach, andEach, orEach, notEach) (PR #3132)
* Add BaseName/IsFolder and new string transformation functions to filters
    (PR #3146)
* Add experimental customizable rename/move detection for folder comparison
    (PR #3126)

###### Options window

* Adjusted the height of the Options dialog and the position of the Defaults
    button

###### Shell extension

* BugFix: Add-AppxPackage fails if path ends with backslash (PR #3145)

###### Installer

* Removed build-time tools (lemon.exe, re2c.exe) from the installer package.

###### Translations

* New translation: Vietnamese (PR #3142)
* Translation updates:
  * Brazilian (PR #3150)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3156)
  * French (PR #3137)
  * German (PR #3148)
  * Hungarian (PR #3149)
  * Italian (PR #3147)
  * Japanese
  * Korean (PR #3125,#3127)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3144,#3153)
  * Polish (PR #3154,#3155)
  * Turkish (PR

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.54.2]_

### Merge7z2600.0

- Date: 2026-02-22
- Version: Merge7z2600.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/Merge7z2600.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/merge7z2600.0
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Windows

### v2.16.54

- Date: 2026-01-27
- Version: v2.16.54
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.54
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.54
- Labels: Platforms: Windows

- **fixed** — Cyrillic shortcuts do not work for main menu keyboard shortcuts
- **fixed** — 2 recent entries per project
- **changed** — Update expat to version 2.7.3
- **added** — Add logInfo, logWarn, logError functions to filter expressions
- **added** — Add new filter expression functions (if, ifEach, choose, chooseEach, andEach, orEach, notEach)
- **added** — Add BaseName, IsFolder and new string transformation functions to filters
- **added** — Add experimental customizable rename/move detection for folder comparison
- **changed** — Adjust the height of the Options dialog and the position of the Defaults button
- **fixed** — Add-AppxPackage fails if path ends with backslash
- **removed** — Remove build-time tools (lemon.exe, re2c.exe) from the installer package
- **added** — New translation: Vietnamese
- **added** — Allow comparing files by editing header path with Ctrl+L / Alt+D
- **changed** — Implement async binary comparison for Selected files are identical dialog
- **fixed** — Fixed crash when an error occurs while opening files in the binary comparison window
- **fixed** — Fixed garbled filenames displayed in Web comparison tabs and header bar
- **changed** — Update freeimage to 3.19.10
- **added** — Add Display Filter to Folder Compare
- **added** — Add folder statistics filter attributes and helper menu
- **added** — Introduce isWithin() and inRange() for explicit inclusive/exclusive range checks
- **added** — Add option to select user data location (AppData or Documents)

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.54/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.54 Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.54](#what-is-new-in-21654)
* [What Is New in 2.16.53 beta?](#what-is-new-in-21653-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

January 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge 2.16.54 stable release.
This release replaces earlier WinMerge stable releases as a recommended release.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.54

###### General

* BugFix: Cyrilic shortcuts do not work for main menukeyboard shortcuts
* BugFix: 2 recent-entries per project (#2990)
* Updated expat to version 2.7.3 (#3151)

###### Folder compare

* Add logInfo, logWarn, logError functions to filter expressions (PR #3131)
* Add new filter expression functions
    (if, ifEach, choose, chooseEach, andEach, orEach, notEach) (PR #3132)
* Add BaseName/IsFolder and new string transformation functions to filters
    (PR #3146)
* Add experimental customizable rename/move detection for folder comparison
    (PR #3126)

###### Options window

* Adjusted the height of the Options dialog and the position of the Defaults
    button

###### Shell extension

* BugFix: Add-AppxPackage fails if path ends with backslash (PR #3145)

###### Installer

* Removed build-time tools (lemon.exe, re2c.exe) from the installer package.

###### Translations

* New translation: Vietnamese (PR #3142)
* Translation updates:
  * Brazilian (PR #3150)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3156)
  * French (PR #3137)
  * German (PR #3148)
  * Hungarian (PR #3149)
  * Italian (PR #3147)
  * Japanese
  * Korean (PR #3125,#3127)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3144,#3153)
  * Polish (PR #3154,#3155)
  * Turkish (PR #3152)
  * Ukrainian (PR #3130)

##### What Is New in 2.16.53 Beta

###### General

* Allow comparing files by editing header path (Ctrl+L / Alt+D) (PR #3093)

###### File compare

* Async binary comparison for “Selected files are identical” dialog
    (PR #3060)

###### Binary compare

* BugFix: Fixed crash when an error occurs while opening files in the binary
    comparison window.

###### Image compare

* [ImageCompare] Problems with unsupported formats (#3044)

* Update freeimage to 3.19.10

###### Webpage compare

* BugFix: Fixed garbled filenames displayed in Web comparison tabs and header
    bar

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: This line cannot be displayed correctly after translation.
    msgid "Failed to extract archive.\nCompare as text file?" (#3073)

* BugFix: Unexpected file closure when moving files from a comparison (#3088)

* Add Display Filter to Folder Compare (PR #3106)

* Add folder statistics filter attributes and helper menu (PR #3111)

* Introduce isWithin() and inRange() for explicit inclusive/exclusive range
    checks (PR #3124)

###### Options dialog

* Add option to select user data location (AppData or Documents) (PR #3078)

###### Plugins

* CompareMSExcelFiles: Replace line breaks with space in MSExcel formulas
    (PR #3028)

* Updated jq to 1.8.1

###### Translations

* Translation updates:

  * Brazilian (PR #3034,#3064,#3085,#3101,#3107,#3121)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3035,#3077,#3086,#3097,#3123)
  * Chinese Traditional (PR #3052,#3073,WinMerge/frhed#26)
  * Corsican (PR #3119)
  * French (PR #3072,#3105,#3106)
  * German (PR #3037,#3068,#3081,#3098,#3108,#3115)
  * Hungarian (PR #3036,#3061,#3080,#3100,#3116)
  * Italian (PR #3033,#3062,#3099,#3113,#3118)
  * Japanese
  * Korean (PR #3062,#3082)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3032,#3065,#3087,#3104,#3114)
  * Polish (PR #3050,#3089,#3103,#3112,#3122)
  * Turkish (PR #3043,#3063,#3083,#3102,#3111,#3117)

###### Manual

* Added FAQ about file selection order in Windows Explorer. (#3090,#3094)

##### Known issues

* Pressing OK in the Options

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.54]_

### v2.16.53

- Date: 2026-01-04
- Version: v2.16.53
- Original notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.53
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/winmerge/releases/v2.16.53
- Labels: Pre-release; Platforms: Windows

- **added** — Allow comparing files by editing header path with Ctrl+L / Alt+D
- **changed** — Async binary comparison for Selected files are identical dialog
- **fixed** — Fixed crash when an error occurs while opening files in the binary comparison window
- **fixed** — Fixed garbled filenames displayed in Web comparison tabs and header bar
- **fixed** — Fixed line that cannot be displayed correctly after translation in folder compare
- **fixed** — Fixed unexpected file closure when moving files from a comparison
- **added** — Add Display Filter to Folder Compare
- **added** — Add folder statistics filter attributes and helper menu
- **added** — Introduce isWithin() and inRange() for explicit inclusive/exclusive range checks
- **added** — Add option to select user data location (AppData or Documents)
- **changed** — Replace line breaks with space in MSExcel formulas in CompareMSExcelFiles plugin
- **changed** — Update freeimage to 3.19.10
- **changed** — Update jq to 1.8.1

![GitHub Releases (by Release)](https://img.shields.io/github/downloads/WinMerge/winmerge/v2.16.53/total)

#### WinMerge 2.16.53 Beta Release Notes

* [About This Release](#about-this-release)
* [What Is New in 2.16.53 beta?](#what-is-new-in-21653-beta)
* [Known issues](#known-issues)

January 2026

##### About This Release

This is a WinMerge beta release which is meant for preview the current state of
WinMerge development. This release is not recommended for the production.

Please submit bug reports to our bug-tracker.

##### What Is New in 2.16.53 Beta

###### General

* Allow comparing files by editing header path (Ctrl+L / Alt+D) (PR #3093)

###### File compare

* Async binary comparison for “Selected files are identical” dialog
    (PR #3060)

###### Binary compare

* BugFix: Fixed crash when an error occurs while opening files in the binary
    comparison window.

###### Image compare

* [ImageCompare] Problems with unsupported formats (#3044)

* Update freeimage to 3.19.10

###### Webpage compare

* BugFix: Fixed garbled filenames displayed in Web comparison tabs and header
    bar

###### Folder compare

* BugFix: This line cannot be displayed correctly after translation.
    msgid "Failed to extract archive.\nCompare as text file?" (#3073)

* BugFix: Unexpected file closure when moving files from a comparison (#3088)

* Add Display Filter to Folder Compare (PR #3106)

* Add folder statistics filter attributes and helper menu (PR #3111)

* Introduce isWithin() and inRange() for explicit inclusive/exclusive range
    checks (PR #3124)

###### Options dialog

* Add option to select user data location (AppData or Documents) (PR #3078)

###### Plugins

* CompareMSExcelFiles: Replace line breaks with space in MSExcel formulas
    (PR #3028)

* Updated jq to 1.8.1

###### Translations

* Translation updates:

  * Brazilian (PR #3034,#3064,#3085,#3101,#3107,#3121)
  * Chinese Simplified (PR #3035,#3077,#3086,#3097,#3123)
  * Chinese Traditional (PR #3052,#3073,WinMerge/frhed#26)
  * Corsican (PR #3119)
  * French (PR #3072,#3105,#3106)
  * German (PR #3037,#3068,#3081,#3098,#3108,#3115)
  * Hungarian (PR #3036,#3061,#3080,#3100,#3116)
  * Italian (PR #3033,#3062,#3099,#3113,#3118)
  * Japanese
  * Korean (PR #3062,#3082)
  * Lithuanian (PR #3032,#3065,#3087,#3104,#3114)
  * Polish (PR #3050,#3089,#3103,#3112,#3122)
  * Turkish (PR #3043,#3063,#3083,#3102,#3111,#3117)

###### Manual

* Added FAQ about file selection order in Windows Explorer. (#3090,#3094)

##### Known issues

* Pressing OK in the Options window while the INI file specified by /inifile is open for comparison in WinMerge may corrupt the file. (#2685)
* Suggestion to make the result of image comparison more reliable (#1391)
* Crashes when comparing large files (#325)
* Very slow to compare significantly different directories (#322)
* Vertical scrollbar breaks after pasting text (#296)

---------------------------------------------------------------

##### What's Changed
* Update Traditional Chinese (zh_TW) translation by @love80312 in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3052
* Async binary comparison for “Selected files are identical” dialog by @sdottaka in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3060
* Update Hungarian.po by @efi99 in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3061
* Italian language update by @bovirus in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3062
* Turkish language support by @bilimiyorum in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3063
* Update Brazilian.po by @Marcellomco in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3064
* Update of Lithuanian translation by @Tichij in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3065
* Update Korean by @VenusGirl in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3066
* Update Polish.po by @miroslaw-zylewicz in https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/pull/3067
* Update German.po by @Havoc7891 in

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/WinMerge/winmerge/releases/tag/v2.16.53]_