How do I reload files in WinMerge after making changes?

Question

I have two files named file1.txt and file2.txt. After using WinMerge to compare both files, I use Notepad++ to edit file2.txt and save my changes. These new changes don't appear in WinMerge unless I re-select both files for a new comparison.

Is there a way to reload files in WinMerge after making changes?

Answer 1

Is there a way to reload files in WinMerge after making changes?

You can press F5 (refresh).

Alternatively configure WinMerge to perform an "Automatic rescan".

Check your WinMerge settings in Edit → Options → Editor → Automatic rescan.

4.1. Rescanning files

By default, the Automatic rescan option is enabled in the Editor page of WinMerge options. Rescanning keeps your your compare and merge operations up to date. Without rescanning, WinMerge differences does not detect changes that might occur to files while you are comparing them, for example in an external editor.

Rescanning occurs when you perform certain actions (like merging a difference or editing a file) during a file compare. If a file has changed, WinMerge displays a dialog advising you that another application has updated the file, and asks whether you want to reload the file.

Click Yes to reload the file before proceeding, or No to ignore the changes and work with the earlier loaded version of the file.

If Automatic rescan is disabled, or if you suspect that a file might have changed, we strongly advise that you run Refresh before performing any merge operation: click Edit → Refresh or the Refresh button toolbar button, or press F5.

If a merge result looks incorrect, click Edit → Undo or press Ctrl+Z to undo the merge. Then rescan the files and try merging again.

(emphasis mine)

Source Comparing and merging text files - WinMerge 2.12 Manual