14 DAY TRIAL // Considering the growing number of threats and malware programs that can affect your operating system, it is safe to say that there are many reasons to monitor your folders these days. One of them should be for security purposes, to know anytime if there are changes to files and folders in the monitored directories. Not only for that, but it can also help you process files and folders automatically, if changes occur by executing a script or a program.
Watch4Folder is a small application that can help you easily monitor your system folders and track any changes that might occur. It can be a system administrator's best friend, being relatively easy to use and with a good implemented functionality – to monitor and log your folder changes.
The interface is really simple, enabling you to quickly access all the features with the push of a button. In order to start the monitoring process, Watch4Folder offers you the possibility to select the folder in which you want to keep track of changes. This can be easily done by accessing the small icon on the left of the Folder to Monitor address bar. The application will open a browser-like window, from where you can navigate to the desired directory.
Watch4Folder enables you to select the desired monitor types by ticking the desired checkbox in order to track changes to the previously selected folder. These are as follows: Monitor File Name Changes – will inform you whenever a file or group of files in the selected directory changed their names; Monitor Directory Name Changes – helps you keep track of directories' and subdirectories' name changes; Monitor Attributes Changes – allows you to monitor the attributes changes of the files and folders; Monitor Size Changes – will keep track of the changes in size of your files; Monitor Last Write – enables you to view the last time your files were modified; Monitor Security Changes – allows you to track the security changes of the selected folder.
The application covers all aspects of file monitoring, making sure you don't miss a thing without being informed about it. Watch4Folder can store all the information in a log file, you just need to point the one you want to use or create a new file. The log should be a simple TXT file and has to be created by the user, Watch4Folder cannot automatically create it. It contains the date and time of the event, the name of the computer and the monitored folder where the change has occurred.
Also, with Watch4Folder you can execute a script or a program whenever a change occurs within the monitored folder, just browse to the desired file. This can come in handy when you monitor a folder where your files are regularly updated. Watch4Folder is able to start commands or additional tools to automatically process these files.
The application runs as a service in the background, you can easily find the process in the Task Manager. We noticed that Watch4Folder doesn't even appear in the system tray and it is set to autorun at each startup. This becomes rather annoying, because you don't have a quick access to the application.
The Good The application is very useful for system administrators that want to know at any time the situation of a designated folder, be warned when it suffers any modifications, or automatically manage a database that is continuously updated by running third-party applications or scripts that can finalize the process. Also, it can be useful to track security changes that can affect your system. The application is very light on system resources, using only 3 MB of RAM and no CPU at all.
The Bad The first thing we noticed was the lack of information regarding the log file. It shows only a general description of an event, without pointing the exact changes that occurred within the designated folder. This issue affects also the subfolders, the log data doesn't record the changes that take place in the subfolders of the selected monitoring path. Moreover, you have to create your log file manually, Watch4Folder enabling you to select a file where it will save the logs.
Another issue is the fact that the application can't monitor more than one folder at a time, an issue that can be bothering when you have to work with multiple folders from different locations.
Finally, it could use a system tray shortcut, from where you could quickly access all the options. Some improvements on the notification system would be welcomed as well. Watch4Folder should alert the user with visual, audio or even email notification messages.
The Truth Despite the relevant backdrops, Watch4Folder can be a really useful application for people who deal with updating data on a constant basis. It can use some improvements regarding the log file and data-gathering process as well. The ability to handle multiple folders at the same time could be a valuable feature.
In conclusion, Watch4Folder could be a valuable application for your daily use, not taking into consideration its issues, but there's always room for improvement.
Here is a snapshot of the application in action:
