WinMerge keyboard shortcuts
WinMerge is a free Windows tool that compares two files or folders and shows what changed. Use the keys to step through differences, rescan and open items in a folder comparison, copy changes left or right, and resolve merge conflicts.
Windows · 44 shortcutsFolder and file comparison
Use these commands to move between comparison tabs, rescan files, and copy changes between panes.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Move to the next comparison tab | Ctrl + Tab |
| Move to the previous comparison tab | Ctrl + Shift + Tab |
| Open the selected item | Enter |
| Go to the parent folder | Backspace |
| Rescan the comparison | F5 |
| Go to the first difference | Alt + Home |
| Go to the last difference | Alt + End |
| Go to the current difference | Alt + Enter |
| Go to the previous difference | Alt + Up Arrow |
| Go to the next difference | Alt + Down Arrow |
| Copy the right pane to the left pane | Alt + Left Arrow |
| Copy the left pane to the right pane | Alt + Right Arrow |
File comparison
These commands move through line differences, panes, conflicts, and merge controls.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Close the file comparison | Escape |
| Go to the next line difference | F4 |
| Go to the previous line difference | Shift + F4 |
| Refresh the comparison | F5 |
| Reload the comparison | Ctrl + F5 |
| Move to the next pane | F6 |
| Move to the previous pane | Shift + F6 |
| Go to the previous difference | F7 |
| Go to the previous conflict | Shift + F7 |
| Go to the previous file | Ctrl + F7 |
| Go to the next difference | F8 |
| Go to the next conflict | Shift + F8 |
| Go to the next file | Ctrl + F8 |
| Toggle merge mode | F9 |
| Go to a difference or line | Ctrl + G |
| Toggle column selection | Ctrl + B |
| Set the difference context | Ctrl + D |
| Run automatic merge | Ctrl + Alt + M |
| Undo | Ctrl + Z |
| Redo | Ctrl + Y |
Merge and search
Use these commands to resolve conflicts, search the comparison, and manage bookmarks.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Go to the previous conflict in merge mode | Alt + Shift + Up Arrow |
| Go to the next conflict in merge mode | Alt + Shift + Down Arrow |
| Copy the left side and advance | Ctrl + Alt + Left Arrow |
| Copy the right side and advance | Ctrl + Alt + Right Arrow |
| Find text | Ctrl + F |
| Find and replace text | Ctrl + H |
| Find the next match | F3 |
| Find the previous match | Shift + F3 |
| Set or clear a bookmark | F2 |
| Go to the next bookmark | Ctrl + F2 |
| Zoom in | Ctrl + + |
| Zoom out | Ctrl + - |
Source
official WinMerge shortcut keys · Checked
WinMerge manual shortcut page checked September 1, 2026. Some commands depend on whether a folder comparison, file comparison, or merge view has focus.