Where Settings are Stored on your Computer
Description: Beyond Compare stores your sessions, customized file formats and other preferences as .xml files in its settings folder. A quick way of finding this location is to pick Help >...
Keywords: location of program settings,portable install,settings,settings location of,sharing Beyond Compare on a network,stored settings

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# Beyond Compare

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Where Settings are Stored on your Computer | Scroll Prev Top Next More Links

Beyond Compare stores your sessions, customized file formats and other preferences as .xml files in its settings folder. A quick way of finding this location is to pick Help > Support and click the Explore settings folder link at the bottom of the dialog.

Standard installation

In Windows, the settings folder is inside your Application Data folder. The location depends on your version of Windows. For instance, under Windows Vista and later, the settings folder is:

C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Roaming\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 5

Notice that this location differs for different users on the same computer.

In macOS, the settings folder is:

~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare

If you want to install multiple major versions, you can rename this folder to include the version number:

~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare 5

In Linux, the settings folder is:

~/$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bcompare

If $XDG_CONFIG_HOME is not defined, the settings folder is:

~/.config/bcompare

If an older version of Beyond Compare has been installed, the settings folder is:

~/.beyondcompare

If you want to install multiple major versions, you can append the major version to the settings folder name like this:

~/$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bcompare5

Portable installation

If you prefer a more portable installation with the program and settings all in one location, you can copy your settings files to the same folder as the program. Portable installs allow you to share one set of settings for all users on a computer, or take your settings with you. If you don't have existing settings files to copy, you can create an empty file named BCState.xml in the folder.