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Short answer
In Safe Merge, choose First folder and Second folder, then choose a location and name for the new result. Keep When names match set to Keep both and leave Recycle originals after merging unchecked. Select Merge Folders and inspect the result.
Before you start
- Safe Merge from Microsoft Store and Windows 11 24H2 or later on an x64 PC.
- 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.
- Folder Areport.txt: draft
- Folder Breport.txt: revised
- New resultBoth different versions
Start here
Select the two source folders
Use Choose folder under First folder and Second folder. Check the chosen paths; these are the two collections you want to combine.
Choose the new result
Under Merged folder, enter a recognizable name and select Choose location. Choose the folder that will contain the new result, outside both source folders.
Keep different versions and originals
Leave When names match set to Keep both. Leave Recycle originals after merging unchecked so the source files remain in place.
Merge and inspect
Select Merge Folders. When a completed result is available, select Open merged folder and inspect it. Open Merge Summary to review per-item outcomes and any items requiring attention.
Check your result
- The result is a separate folder and both original source folders remain.
- Different files at the same relative path are represented under distinct names.
- Read any stopped, incomplete or skipped outcome before relying on the result.
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 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.