8 Free Tools to Monitor Files & Folders Changes in Real Time
Tracking changes to your files and folders can be tricky, especially with various processes running in the background.
Some activities are expected, like file downloads and antivirus scans, but other changes may occur unnoticed. Luckily, several free tools can help you monitor files and folders for any modifications.
Below are 8f ree tools to monitor changes on your Windows PC, tested on Windows 10 and Windows 7 64-bit.
1. Watch 4 Folder
Watch 4 Folder is a tool that lets you monitor file/folder creation, deletion, renaming, and changes. It also tracks events like file association changes and CD/DVD insertions.
Key Features:
- Monitors multiple events.
- Alerts via popups or external programs.
- Portable, works from Windows XP to Windows 10.
Pros:
- Multiple types of alerts.
- Customizable settings.
Cons:
- Free version only monitors one folder.
2. Disk Pulse
Disk Pulse offers both free and paid versions, with the free version supporting basic file/folder creation, deletion, and modification monitoring. The paid version includes advanced features like email notifications and logging.
Key Features:
- Real-time file/folder tracking.
- Visual reports via charts.
Pros:
- Real-time monitoring.
- Visual analysis.
Cons:
- Limited features in the free version.
3. TheFolderSpy
This portable tool lets you monitor multiple folders at once, tracking events like creation, deletion, and size changes. It also offers email notifications for detected events.
Key Features:
- Monitors multiple folders.
- Email notifications for events.
Pros:
- Lightweight and portable.
- Email alerts for triggered events.
Cons:
- Requires third-party tools like WinRAR or 7-Zip to extract files.
4. Directory Monitor
Directory Monitor is a reliable tool that monitors folder/file changes. The free version offers basic functionality, while the paid version adds features like email alerts and logs.
Key Features:
- Tracks file/folder creation, deletion, and modification.
- Supports inclusion/exclusion filters.
Pros:
- Easy setup.
- Multiple folder monitoring.
Cons:
- Advanced features locked behind a paywall.
5. Folder Monitor
Folder Monitor is a simple, portable tool that tracks file/folder creation, renaming, deletion, and size changes. It offers visual and audio alerts for detected modifications.
Key Features:
- Monitors folder creation, renaming, and deletion.
- Customizable notifications (sound and visual).
Pros:
- Lightweight and easy to use.
- Customizable alerts.
Cons:
- Only tracks folder changes.
6. Phrozen Windows Files Monitor
Phrozen Windows Files Monitor tracks a variety of events, from file changes to system events like drive removals. It records events in log or tree format, which is useful for in-depth analysis.
Key Features:
- Monitors file and system changes.
- Logs events in multiple formats.
Pros:
- Wide range of monitored events.
- Event logging for later review.
Cons:
- Can be buggy with drive selection.
Download Phrozen Windows Files Monitor
7. FolderChangesView
FolderChangesView is a portable Nirsoft tool that monitors file/folder changes in real-time. It saves logs in various formats, making it easy to track and review changes.
Key Features:
- Real-time file/folder change tracking.
- Saves logs in text, HTML, or XML formats.
Pros:
- Simple and portable.
- Multiple log formats.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features.
8. SpyMe Tools
SpyMe Tools can track file/folder changes in real-time and take snapshots of your system before and after software installations, helping you monitor changes made during installations.
Key Features:
- Monitors real-time file/folder changes.
- Compares snapshots before/after software installs.
Pros:
- Real-time monitoring.
- Snapshot comparisons.
Cons:
- The interface could be more user-friendly.
These tools offer diverse monitoring features, from real-time file tracking to advanced logging and event alerts. Whether you’re tracking file modifications or system changes, these free tools will help you stay on top of your Windows PC’s activities.
TheFolderSpy does not pass VirusTotal. Loaded with Trajans
I use Tweakeze and so far so good! I liked that it runs on the background keeping things in check.
Disk Pulse is excellent. Watch 4 Folder got almost nothing writing on the hdd, TheFolderSpy got so much that it craches all the time.
Hello,
I have used the Nirsoft product but found that upon reboot (Windows 7) it “forgot” the settings. Again, if I am missing something that would allow the settings to “stick,” I’d be happy to know about it. Thanks!
Try to launch the product as an administrator and set the settings…
Hello,
As far as I can tell, Watch 4 Folder does not work with “hidden” folders. If I am incorrect, however, I’d love to know that because I think W4F would otherwise be ideal for my purposes. Thanks!
Regarding File Alert Monitor, I am not sure that qualifies as a free program because if you read the terms of service, it states you have license to use this software if you have purchased other software from the company. If you are a stickler for licensing, you may want to look at other products. It does work great though.
Nowhere does it say you are not allowed to use this tool if you don’t own a license, only that registered users of their other products can install it as many times as they like. Therefore, non license holders are not breaking the terms of the license.
If the intention was for nobody to use it but license holders, the terms are incredibly badly written and don’t stand up to any scrutiny.
Anyway, the website itself says it is “freeware”.
Hi! Yes, awesome review! Any idea of which programs are compatible with Apple? I want to set up a system where different folders in my office server are “assigned” to different colleagues so each of us gets notifications about changes to their assigned files/folders. Are these kinds of collaborative monitoring processes supported by these programs?
Hi! I am trying to track changes in a folder with music files. From time to time there are some changes in the files that are bothering me like date modified, metadata info or even all the bytes in the file are changed. I think it is related to the player. Although i disabled the features that allows the player to update metadata or file information through the internet, these file changes keep happening.
I want to track what program makes those file changes, so can you recommend me some software that tracks not only the changes but the program responsible for those changes?
Thank you!
Thanks for the clear overview. I downloaded the portable version of Directory Monitor, which seems pretty good even with the free feature set.
I have a folder, part of a larger tree backup I made some months ago that reappears time and again for no reason at all.
Could you please help me with the way to find what is copying it again in the same old folder that was backed up from?
Many thanks.
The tools here won’t do what you are looking for, have a look at this:
https://www.raymond.cc/blog/find-out-what-program-is-secretly-accessing-your-hard-disk-drive/
Use one of those methods to watch and see what process is accessing your drive.
Hi, what if I have a network storage server and want to know which PC or IP (Invected by a virus) that create or modified a file or folder in the network drive so I can track it down.
Hi,
Great review and very helpful! I’m looking for package that also tracks copy or move operations and records the destination folder. Does any of these do that?
Thanks.
#10 (File Alert Monitor) on page 2 redirects to transcriptionbuddy webpage.
Perhaps the link could be updated with the one from Download dot com, or removed?
Thanks for the report, I’ve updated the link to show the original page at the internet archive where both installer and portable versions can still be downloaded.
Hi! Thank you for you job. This is great post, and I just wanted to ask if one of this programs has a record which other app or user manually deletes or modifies the targeted file. For example, Norton360, or uninstaller, or something else. Thank you.
Some of the tools can tell you which user account deleted/modified the files but they can’t tell you specific users if several are working under the same account.
Hey there, any chance that one of these are also reporting the user that made the change to the fie/folder? I’m trying to watch over a file server, but I really need to know which user made the change, just knowing that a change was made is only the (unusable) half of the solution :(
Thanks
Sorry, it was actually pretty obvious – TheFolderSpy. I have already installed and setup, it looks very good to me so far, does exactly the job I needed it to do :)
Thanks a lot for this article!
TheFolderSpy might do want you want, it appears to show under which account the change was made, that might be enough.
Sysinternal’s Process Monitor might also be interesting.
We already mention Process Monitor at the bottom of the article, but it just needs too much filtering to make it easy to use.
Thanks RayMan!
I’m trying to GRASP stuff that’s over my paygrade. Do any of these apps (or any others you’re aware of) report WHAT the changes are (re file changes)?
I’m looking for an INI-Mon. Ideally one with a smart UI…
Thinking about running a local Sourcetree or something, to see what happens when (for example) I map a controller to a VST param (struggling to understand the hierarchy of config, projects, keymaps, and templates!)
Do any of these tools tell us which file made the change (like a Trojan for example)
thanks
I’m not sure any of them do although I can’t be 100% sure. You may need some kind of HIPS software for that.
You can checkout LepideAuditor Suite which exactly meets to your concern. It helps to track every critical changes/access made on file server into real time and alerts instantly by sending customized email notification.
“Watch 4 Folder” has a virus. Nice!
Incorrect, the installer version is ad supported which is not a virus, it’s adware. The portable version is entirely clean of adware.
Watch 4 Folder v2.3 (with bug fixed – W4FInstallFixed.exe) installs Consumer Input adware. New version 2.5 has free / paid version, but I’m reluctant to try due to adware.
I have tested
Febooti Automatic Workshop and
Filesure
both are good
Adam
Thank you for this post. Very very useful for me
thank you very much