Common questions questions
Short answers about supported Windows releases, GPLv2 rights, hash verification, and compare troubleshooting.
Open one answer at a time
One panel open at a time. Jump to Guides if you need deeper troubleshooting.
Does WinMerge run on older Windows versions?
Beginning with 2.14, older 32-bit systems such as Windows 9x/ME/NT4 ended. 2.16 needs XP SP3+ (32-bit) or Windows 7+ (64-bit).
Is WinMerge free for commercial use?
Yes under GPLv2. Use without a purchase fee; redistribution and modification must follow GPLv2.
Is WinMerge malware?
No. It is a legitimate open-source diff/merge app. AV may raise heuristic false positives; verify SHA-256 for 2.16.56.2 packages.
Why are all lines marked different?
Line ending styles may differ. Enable Ignore carriage return differences under Edit, Options, Compare.
What is the latest stable version?
WinMerge 2.16.56.2, released 2026-05-27, recommended for most users.
Ready for the stable build?
Grab WinMerge 2.16.56.2 for your Windows architecture.