A user can have several purposes to monitor folders in the Windows operating system. It can for example improve the security of the operating system by ensuring that the system administrator is informed about changes to files and folders in monitored directories. It can also be used to process files and folders automatically if changes occur. One possible scenario for that would for example be a folder where new files are uploaded to regularly. A program that monitors that folder might be able to start commands or additional tools to process these files automatically.
Watch 4 Folder is a lightweight software program to monitor folders in Windows. The program can be configured to monitor one main folder for the following six different types of changes:
- file name changes
- directory name changes
- attribute changes
- size changes
- last modification date changes
- security changes
It can furthermore write all changes to a log file and execute a script or program if changes are detected. The computer program uses less than 4 Megabytes of computer memory while running. The developer did not include a list of compatible operating systems. It worked fine in Windows XP SP3 and will probably work as well in older and newer versions of the Windows operating system.
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Awesome. Great find, Martin. I’ve been looking for something like this to watch my home server files, and execute commands.
As always, Martin, you rock.
I’ve been using Directory Monitor for a couple of months now and am really happy with it. I’d be interested to hear how this tool differs from DM.
Download:
http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/File-Management/DevEnterprise-Directory-Monitor.shtml
Mini-review
http://www.mydigitallife.info/2009/03/12/download-directory-monitor-to-track-files-changes-in-folders/
There is a newer version here:
http://leelusoft.blogspot.com/2010/07/watch-4-folder-22.html