The controls on this settings page control how folder comparisons are performed.
Compare full folder hierarchy
If this setting is checked, Merge will recursively descend through any sub-folders when comparing two folder hierarchies. If the setting is unchecked, only files in the top level of the two folders being compared will be displayed.
Use filter programs for files in folder comparisons
Check this setting to enable filter programs in folder comparisons. If checked, when Merge encounters a file that matches one of the patterns specified on the File Types page, it will run the appropriate filter program on the file and compare the filtered output, rather than the original file. This enables Merge to compare the contents of files in formats that it would otherwise not understand.
Enabling this setting will almost always result in folder comparisons taking longer to complete, due to the additional work performed.
Gather line-count statistics for inserted and removed files
Check this setting to make Merge count the number of lines in inserted and removed files. This enables accurate line count statistics to be presented in the Comparison Statistics window. If you aren’t interested in comparison statistics then this setting can be unchecked, typically resulting in significantly faster folder comparisons.
Scan contents of folders excluded by filters
If this setting is checked, Merge will examine the contents of folders that have been excluded by the Filters settings. This setting can be useful if you are experimenting with different include/exclude patterns, since the effect of changes to the patterns will be immediately visible in the folder comparison window. Enabling this setting can drastically slow down comparisons.
Scan contents of files excluded by filters
If this setting is checked, Merge will examine the contents of files that have been excluded by the Filters settings. This setting can be useful if you are experimenting with different include/exclude patterns, since the effect of changes to the patterns will be immediately visible in the folder comparison window. Enabling this setting can drastically slow down comparisons.