WatchDirectory

WatchDirectory

WatchDirectory is an open-source file system monitoring software for Windows. It monitors changes to files and directories on local drives and notifies the user via email or other means. Useful for monitoring logs, data files, and configurations.
WatchDirectory image
file-monitoring change-detection open-source

WatchDirectory: Open-Source File System Monitoring Software

WatchDirectory monitors changes to files and directories on local drives, notifying users via email or other means, ideal for logs, data files, and configurations.

What is WatchDirectory?

WatchDirectory is an open-source file and directory monitoring software for Windows. It provides real-time monitoring of changes to files, folders, and directory structures on local hard drives.

Some key features of WatchDirectory:

  • Monitors changes to files like modifications, additions, deletions.
  • Watches folders and directory structures for changes.
  • Triggers customizable actions when changes are detected like sending email notifications.
  • Configuration via UI or XML files.
  • Logging of all monitoring and change detection activities.
  • Small footprint and low resource usage.

WatchDirectory is useful for system administrators, developers, and power users to monitor important files and directories like application logs, database files, configuration files, web server directories, and more. The change notifications can help identify issues early.

It works on all modern Windows OS versions. Being open-source, WatchDirectory is free to use and the source code is available for auditing and custom enhancements.

WatchDirectory Features

Features

  1. Real-time file monitoring
  2. Email notifications
  3. Logging changes to text files
  4. Monitoring multiple directories
  5. Configurable filters
  6. Portable version available
  7. Command line interface
  8. Free and open source

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Lightweight and easy to use

Can monitor multiple directories

Good for monitoring logs and configs

Free with no ads or nags

Open source code can be customized

Cons

Windows only

No cloud sync or mobile app

Basic interface

Limited reporting capabilities


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