Monitor Drive Changes on Windows Using FolderChangesView

 

How to Easily Monitor Drive Changes on Windows Using FolderChangesView

If you’re looking for a simple and efficient way to track changes on your drives, whether it’s file modifications, creations, or deletions, FolderChangesView by NirSoft is a great tool. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and doesn’t require complicated setup, perfect for users who want quick, real-time monitoring of drive activities. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set it up and start monitoring your drives instantly.

Why Use FolderChangesView?

FolderChangesView is a portable utility that monitors file and folder changes in real-time. It provides a straightforward interface to track drive activities without requiring any installation, so it’s efficient and uses minimal system resources. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced user, FolderChangesView simplifies monitoring, making it ideal for tracking changes across a drive or within specific folders.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up FolderChangesView:-

1. Download FolderChangesView

a. To start, download FolderChangesView from the official NirSoft website:

b. Once downloaded, extract the files from the zip folder to a location on your computer. Since it’s a portable tool, you don’t need to install anything—just launch it directly.

2. Launch FolderChangesView

After extracting the tool, open FolderChangesView.exe. You’ll see a configuration window that lets you specify your monitoring preferences.

 

3. Configure Monitoring Settings

a. Now, it’s time to set up the tool to start monitoring your drives or folders:

     Folder or Drive: In the configuration window, specify the drive or folder you want to monitor. For example, to monitor your entire C: drive, enter C:\ in the folder field.

     Include Subfolders: If you want to monitor the entire drive or a directory and its subfolders, check the box next to Include Subfolders.

     Events to Monitor: Choose the types of changes you’d like to track:

o   File Created

o   File Deleted

o   File Modified

o   File Renamed

     Refresh Rate: Set how often FolderChangesView should refresh to capture changes. A shorter refresh rate (such as every second) will capture changes more frequently. Adjust this based on how often you need updates and your system’s resources.

 

   4. Start Monitoring

 After configuring your settings, click OK to start monitoring. FolderChangesView will begin displaying real-time changes in the main window, listing details like file names, change type, timestamp, and file paths.

5. Saving the Log

a. FolderChangesView makes it easy to save your log data for future reference:

·        Go to File > Save Selected Items and select a location to save the log file. You can save the log in a text or CSV format, allowing you to view, analyze, or archive it for later.

Why FolderChangesView Is an Ideal Choice for Drive Monitoring

FolderChangesView stands out for a few key reasons:

·        Simplicity: The interface is straightforward and beginner-friendly, making it easy for anyone to monitor drive activities.

·        Real-Time Monitoring: FolderChangesView instantly displays changes, so you can track drive activities as they happen.

·        Lightweight and Portable: Since it’s a portable utility, it uses minimal system resources, so it won’t slow down your computer.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re monitoring your drive for data security, troubleshooting issues, or simply keeping track of changes, FolderChangesView offers an efficient and hassle-free way to do it. Below is the attached screen recording for reference, please do check out!