What command line utility can compare files?

The Windows command line provides access to some very useful utilities. What command line utility can compare two files and report on the differences, including a binary comparison?

A) diskcomp

B) fc

C) ren

D) diskcopy

E) iCompare

The answer: B) fc

FC.EXE, or File Compare, is a useful utility that can quickly tell you the differences between two files on your computer. FC.EXE includes many options, including a binary comparison, the selection of case, and the display of the output as ASCII text information.

Want to know more? Watch “The Windows Command Line.” The intricacies of the Windows command line may seem difficult to grasp, but with a little bit of practice and knowledge you’ll begin to take advantage of some powerful functionality. In this video, we’ll use the Windows command line to manage files and directories, edit files, perform diagnostics and tune the operating system.