How to Add ‘File Compare’ to Ubuntu Nautilus Context Menu

Last updated: July 27, 2013

This simple tutorial shows you how to add ‘File Compare’ option on Nautilus’ context menu in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail.

file compare in nautilus

There are a few tools in Ubuntu allow to compare files or folders, such as Meld Diff Viewer, Kdiff3. Nautilus-compare is a simple plugin that integrates them with Nautilus file browser.

Press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard to open temrinal. When it opens, run below command to install this plugin:

sudo apt-get install nautilus-compare

Once installed, open “Nautilus Compare Extension Preferences” from Unity Dash and choose your diff veiwer:

nautilus file compare extension

Finally, restart Nautilus by below command to apply changes:

nautilus -q

For Ubuntu 13.04, due to bugs you need to run below command to get it work:

for 32-bit:

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/i386-linux-gnu/libpython2.7.so.1 /usr/lib/libpython.2.7.so

for 64-bit:

sudo ln -s /usr/lib/x86_64-linux-gnu/libpython2.7.so.1 /usr/lib/libpython.2.7.so

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I'm a freelance blogger who started using Ubuntu in 2007 and wishes to share my experiences and some useful tips with Ubuntu beginners and lovers. Please comment to let me know if the tutorial is outdated! And, notify me if you find any typo/grammar/language mistakes. English is not my native language. Contact me via [email protected] Buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/ubuntuhandbook1