Where Does Beyond Compare Store Settings?
Beyond Compare settings folders on Windows, Mac and Linux, plus the supported export flow.
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Beyond Compare keeps sessions, file formats and preferences as XML files in a versioned settings folder. Windows uses Scooter Software under Roaming AppData, macOS uses Application Support, and Linux follows XDG config with a legacy dot folder fallback. The folder name carries the major version, so 4 and 5 coexist peacefully.
The in app shortcut beats memorizing paths. Help, Support shows an Explore settings folder link that opens the effective directory on any platform. For migration the supported route is Export and Import under Tools, which packages everything except the license key.
Where Beyond Compare stores this, by platform
%APPDATA%\Scooter Software\Beyond Compare 5
Version 4 uses a Beyond Compare 4 folder instead. Sessions, rules and formats live here as .xml and session files. Copy with Beyond Compare closed, since open sessions write back on exit.
~/Library/Application Support/Beyond Compare
Append the major version for side by side installs, as in Beyond Compare 4. The Help and then Support dialog opens this exact folder through its Explore settings folder link.
~/.config/bcompare
Falls back to ~/.beyondcompare when an old install left one behind. Append the major version, as in bcompare4, to separate installs the way the vendor documents.
Frequently asked questions
how do i move beyond compare sessions to a new pc
Use Tools and then Export Settings on the old machine and Import Settings on the new one. The license key does not travel with the export, so re enter it separately after importing.
how do i run beyond compare portably
Create an empty file named BCState.xml in the program folder. Beyond Compare then keeps sessions, formats and preferences beside the executable, which suits USB sticks and shared machines.
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