Looking for utility to list information about files.

October 8, 2007 7:26 AM

Is there a utility (freeware or not) that will allow me to specify a directory in Windows XP and monitor that directory for any changes to files (access time, modified time, etc..)?

I've tried a few things (Sysinternals utilities) but they seem to be overkill for what I want. Also, within windows you can add a "Date Modfied" field to the detail file listing but it doesn't seem to work. Any ideas would be appreciated.

posted by KevinSkomsvold to computers & internet (7 comments total)

For "Date Modified", there's a utility called "dir" you could use. You may even have it already installed on your machine...

Anyway - open up a command prompt, [Click Start, type "cmd" and press return.]
Then type "dir /od "{the directory you wish to monitor}"

The last modified files will appear in the list in modified order along with the modified date.

e.g.
C:\>dir /od "s:\run"

Directory of s:\run
27/08/1999 14:02 37 unlock.bat
27/08/1999 14:02 27 report.bat
27/08/1999 14:02 36 admin.bat
27/08/1999 14:02 28 select.bat
13/01/2007 14:10 133 sms7.bat
posted by seanyboy at 7:33 AM on October 8, 2007

Anyway - open up a command prompt, [Click Start, type "cmd" and press return.

I think you mean Click Start, Click Run then type "cmd" and press return, Capain Sarcasmo.
posted by dcbarker at 7:41 AM on October 8, 2007

What do you want to happen when something is new or updated?
posted by cmiller at 8:23 AM on October 8, 2007

What do you want to happen when something is new or updated?

I'd just like to be able to see when a file was accessed indicated by a date and time stamp. If this could be dumped to a log file or show up in a UI, that would be fine. The app I'm trying to monitor has a ton of directories and subdirectories. A utility that would allow me to specify what directories to monitor would be very helpful.
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 8:33 AM on October 8, 2007

WatchDirectory will do that.
posted by bigmusic at 8:43 AM on October 8, 2007

Also, try out Directory Monitor Utility.
posted by bigmusic at 8:46 AM on October 8, 2007

Thank you BigMusic. That is perfect for what I need!
posted by KevinSkomsvold at 8:57 AM on October 8, 2007