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What Is a DIFF File?

How to open, edit, and convert DIFF files

By Tim Fisher Tim Fisher Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability Emporia State University Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on April 22, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email File Types File Types Apps Windows MS Office Linux Google Drive Backup & Utilities Design Cryptocurrency

What to Know

A DIFF file is a difference file, also called a PATCH file. Open one with Kompare, Mercurial, or a text editor like Notepad++. This article explains what a DIFF file is used for and how to open one on your computer.

What Is a DIFF File

A difference file records all the ways two text files are different. They're sometimes called patch files and might use the PATCH file extension. This file type is normally used by software developers who are updating multiple versions of the same source code. Since it explains how the two versions are different, the program that uses the file can understand how the other files should be updated to reflect the new changes. Performing this type of modification to one or more files is called patching the files. Some patches can be applied to files even if both versions have been changed. These are called context diffs, unified diffs, or unidiffs. Patches in this context are related, but not the same, as software patches. ermingut / Getty Images DIFF files, which this article is about, are not the same as DIF files (with only one F). Those are either Data Interchange Format files, MAME CHD Diff files, Digital Interface Format files, or Torque Game Engine Model files. Some other examples of files you might confuse with DIFF files are listed at the bottom of this page.

How to Open a DIFF File

DIFF files can be opened on Windows, Linux, and macOS with Mercurial. The Mercurial Wiki page has all the documentation you need to learn how to use it. Other programs that support this format include Kompare, GnuWin, and UnxUtils. If you use Kompare, open the file from the File > Open Diff menu. Read more about working with DIFF files in Kompare at KDE.org. Adobe Dreamweaver works as well, but we assume that would only be useful if you want to see the information that's contained within it (if possible), not for actually using the file like you can with Mercurial. If that's all you need to do, a simple free text editor works, too. If all else fails and you still can't open it, it might be completely unrelated to difference/patch files and instead used by some other program. Use a free text editor, or the HxD hex editor, for help finding out what program was used to create that specific file. If there's anything useful "behind the curtain," so to speak, it'll probably be in the header portion of the file. If one program on your computer tries to open the DIFF file but you'd rather a different installed program do it, you can change which program opens the file by default in Windows.

How to Convert a DIFF File

Most file types can be run through a file converter tool to be saved in a new format, but there's no reason to do that with a DIFF file. If your file happens to be unrelated to the difference file format, then the program that opens your specific file might support exporting or saving it to a new format. If so, that option is probably somewhere in the File menu.

Still Can' t Open It

Some file formats use a similar extension—LDIF, RIFF, DIX, DIZ, and PAT are a few examples—but they aren't the same thing. If your file isn't opening using any of the programs mentioned above, check that you're reading the extension correctly. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire DDL File (What It Is & How to Open One) DSK File (What It Is & How to Open One) DMA File (What It Is & How to Open One) DYLIB File (What It Is & How to Open One) DWG File (What It Is and How to Open One) BBS File (What It Is & How to Open One) M File (What It Is and How to Open One) PAT File (What It Is and How to Open One) AIT File (What It is and How to Open One) AHK File (What It Is and How to Open One) ACV File (What It Is & How to Open One) GRD File (What It Is & How to Open One) AC3 File (What It Is & How to Open One) EPC File (What It Is & How to Open One) ALP File (What It Is and How to Open One) FBR File (What It Is and How to Open One) Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies