Folder Monitor

Folder Monitor is a tiny and extremely simple-to-use software tool designed to help you keep track of file changes that occur in any specified directories. It doesn't include complex features or customization properties, making it accessible to all types of users.

Portability advantages

Since there is no setup pack involved, you can drop the app files anywhere on the disk and just click the executable to launch Folder Monitor. Otherwise, you can move it to a pen drive or other removable storage unit, in order to run it on any PC with minimum effort and no previous installers.
What's more, it doesn't integrate new entries in the Windows registry or Start menu, thus leaving no traces behind after its removal.

System tray accessibility

At startup, the app creates an icon in the system tray area for quick access. All you have to do is point out a directory to keep an eye on, and Folder Monitor will automatically start recording actions when it comes to creating, deleting or renaming new files, among others.

Examine log details for folder changes

As soon as an event occurs, Folder Monitor plays an audio alert, brings up another panel and shows log details when it comes to the date, path, file name, new name, and action. Any following events are recorded in the same window. You can add as many directories as you want, enable or disable recursive scanning mode, remove an entry from the list, as well as refresh information.

Evaluation and conclusion

There were no stability issues in our tests, thanks to the fact that Folder Monitor did not hang, crash or pop up error messages. It had a good response time and minimal impact on computer performance, thanks to the fact that it needed low CPU and RAM to work properly.
Although it does not make room for customization and it is not very explicit concerning the types of events it supports, Folder Monitor is simple to use and effective.