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Before you start
- Safe Merge from Microsoft Store on Windows 11 24H2 or later, x64, with full access or a trial merge available.
- Two distinct source folders, with neither inside the other, and a separate folder that will contain the merged result. Choose this location outside both source folders, with enough free space for the result.
- A supported fixed or removable local drive using NTFS, outside network shares and cloud/sync folders. In File Explorer, right-click the drive and choose Properties to check File system.
- Finish edits and close applications that are changing the source files. A source that changes during the merge can prevent a completed result.
Follow these steps
Choose two source folders
Use Choose folder under First folder and Second folder. For practice, choose two small sample folders. Neither should be inside the other.
Choose a separate result location
Under Merged folder, enter a name. Select Choose location and pick a parent folder outside both sources, with room for the new copies.
Keep both versions and the originals
Leave When names match set to Keep both. Leave Recycle originals after merging unchecked.
Keep both preserves different files with matching names. Enlarge image. - Keep both preserves both versions when their names match.
Start the merge
Select Merge Folders and wait for it to finish. Keep the source and output locations connected while it works.
Open the result
Choose Open merged folder. Check the files you need and read Merge Summary for skipped or incomplete items. New merge returns to setup without removing this result.
Open the merged folder to inspect both papers. Enlarge image.
Check your result
- The result is a separate folder and both source folders remain.
- Different same-name files in matching subfolders have separate output names.
- You read any stopped, incomplete or skipped outcome before using the result.
If you need more help
What Keep both means
If two different files have the same name in corresponding folders, Safe Merge keeps both and assigns an available numbered name to one. Equivalent files at the same relative path can share a single output copy.
Folders with corresponding names combine their contents. This is not a global duplicate search across unrelated paths.
If the merge stops or cannot finish
Read the status and Merge Summary before using any result. If a source changed, finish the other application's save before retrying. If the drive is full, make enough space for the separate result. Do not assume a merge finished because a folder is visible.
Keep both source collections. If the result location changed or the app shows a recovery location, inspect the stated locations and preserve the recovery data before starting another merge. Recycling is still a separate outcome; a completed result does not mean every original was recycled.
If you choose to recycle originals
Recycle originals after merging is a separate opt-in with a confirmation. Only eligible originals represented by the verified result can be recycled; an omitted different variant remains at its source.
An interrupted or unverified cleanup can leave originals at source or in a recovery location. Read the actual outcome and the guide in that location. Keep recovery records until the situation is resolved.
Eligible recycled items keep their original names. The Recycle Bin's Deleted From location can show a safe intermediate path. Check the intended destination before restoring; do not overwrite a current file.
Try two folder merges free
Get the free trial from Microsoft Store, install Safe Merge and let it check your license. Start with two disposable sample folders, Keep both and recycling unchecked. The trial allows two qualifying merges in total, with no time limit. The same allowance is shared across windows and app launches.
A merge uses one allowance when its new result is fully verified and saved with at least one file or subfolder from the inputs. Ten files in that result still use one merge, not ten. A result containing only the newly created root folder does not count.
A zero-byte input file or a preserved empty subfolder can qualify. Equivalent files at matching paths can share one result copy and still count as a successful merge. A valid choice to omit a different version under a conflict policy does not make the merge free.
Used means a qualifying result was saved. In progress means a use is reserved for accepted work. If other windows are using both reservations, let those operations finish before starting another merge. If an interrupted job needs checking, keep its result and recovery information until the app can reconcile it.
What happens if a merge stops?
Rejected inputs, failure or cancellation before a qualifying result is saved use no allowance. After that result has been verified and saved, the merge counts even if you stop later or optional recycling is incomplete. Read the result status and the cleanup status separately.
The second trial merge may still finish its selected cleanup. Editing or deleting a saved result does not refund the use. Resuming the same accepted job does not charge twice, but starting a new qualifying merge uses another allowance.
Continue with the full version
Choose Buy Safe Merge and complete the Microsoft Store purchase. The full version costs €2.99 once, with no subscription. Opening the Store page alone does not unlock it; return to Safe Merge and wait for confirmed full access.
If confirmation is delayed, choose Check Store license again. If you already own the app, use the Microsoft Store account that made the purchase. Do not buy again just because a license check failed.
Confirmed full access removes the trial limit across the app's current windows, while keeping selections, results and recovery information. Buying does not automatically start or replay a merge. Review your choices before selecting Merge Folders.
Does reinstalling reset the trial?
No. Trial records are kept in a separate area of your Windows user profile, outside storage removed by an ordinary app uninstall. Compatible updates and ordinary reinstall keep the count. These records are separate from short-lived completed-job records.
This is a local allowance, not a shared Microsoft-account quota across devices or Windows profiles. Keep unresolved recovery data; deleting it is not a supported way to reset usage.
Need the app?
Safe Merge. Check requirements and download options.