1. Choose
Select the folder you want to watch.
Free Folder Monitor for Windows
See What Changes In Your Folders
Watch a local folder for new, changed, renamed and deleted items. Filter the live activity and export the retained events to CSV.
Version 8.1.0 · Windows 10/11 · 64-bit · 11.3 MB
Free to use
Works with local files
Light & dark
View original screenshotStop guessing which file changed.
A Clear Workflow
Three Simple Steps
Choose your files or settings, review your choice, then start.
2. Monitor
Start watching changes, including subfolders when selected.
3. Export
Review the activity and export retained events to CSV.
Built Around Your Task
A Clear View Of Folder Activity.
Follow live changes in a selected location and keep a useful record of the events you captured.
Read The Step-by-Step GuideWatch Real File Events
See create, change, delete and rename notifications from Windows.
Focus On Relevant Changes
Filter the displayed events, or pause monitoring while you review them.
Save A Usable Log
Export captured events for your own review or troubleshooting.
Before you begin
Monitoring watches supported local folders while running. Pause stops the watcher; changes made while paused are not captured. The app retains up to 5,000 events. Heavy activity or Windows notification overflow can cause missed events. UNC network paths are not supported.
Your Workspace, Your Choice
Clear In Light. Comfortable In Dark.
Start in dark mode or switch to light. Your theme is remembered.
View original screenshotDark theme · Actual Windows interface · Click for the original PNG
View original screenshotLight theme · Actual Windows interface · Click for the original PNG
Practical Help
Know What To Expect
Monitor Folder Changes On Windows
Watch a folder, review live file events and export a useful CSV activity log.
Supported Scope And Limits
Monitoring is live and best-effort; it is not a complete historic or forensic audit trail.
When Something Does Not Work
Check inputs, access and cancellation before trying again.
Questions, Answered
Before You Download
Straight answers about the current version and its limits.
Can it show changes made before monitoring started?
No. It watches new notifications while running. It does not reconstruct a historical activity log from the drive.
Can it monitor subfolders?
Yes. Choose recursive monitoring for supported folders beneath the selected path.
Does it save copies of changed files?
No. The log records file events and paths. It is not a backup and cannot restore deleted content.
Can I export the event list?
Yes. CSV export includes all currently retained events, up to 5,000, regardless of the current view filter. Treat exported paths and filenames as potentially private information.
Is every event guaranteed to appear?
No. Applications and Windows may combine notifications, and high-volume activity can overflow buffers. The app reports diagnostics where available; it is not a forensic audit system.
What does Pause do?
Pause stops the watcher. Events that happen while paused are not captured or reconstructed when you resume.
Free Windows Download
See Your Next Folder Change
Free Folder Monitor 8.1.0 · Windows 10/11 (64-bit)
Download Free for WindowsNo account needed to use the app. Installation details · Source & licenses