How to Continuously Monitor Important Files on Your Computer's Data (D:) Drive
"How to continuously monitor important files on Drive D: to track changes, moves, deletions, and file or folder activity."
In this tutorial, i'll show you how to identify files or folders that have changed on your laptop or computer, these changes may include modifications to file names, sizes, locations, or even file deletions caused by the system, viruses, or other people.
To monitor these changes, you can use software called Directory Monitor, this software tracks file activity in real time and provides information whenever a change occurs, such as when a file is modified, moved, renamed, or deleted.
By using Directory Monitor, you can get a clearer picture of folder activity, especially when files suddenly disappear or change without you noticing.
It works in a fairly simple way by monitoring selected folders and displaying notifications whenever changes occur, in addition, Directory Monitor keeps detailed logs, including the time of each change, file locations, and the activities that took place, making it very useful for protecting your data and monitoring work files.
So, in this tutorial, i'll show you how to download and use Directory Monitor, curious to learn how? let's go through the tutorial below.
Tutorial:
- First, open the website [Here] terlebih dahulu.
- Once you're there, scroll down a little and click the orange Download Directory Monitor button.
- You'll be taken to the next step, where you should click the orange Download Installer button.
- Wait a few seconds for the installer file to appear and become available for download.
- Once the download is complete, run the installer by double-clicking it.
- A UAC (User Account Control) dialog box will appear, click the Yes button.
- After that, you'll see the installation window, select I Accept the Agreement and then click Next.
- At this stage, you'll see the destination folder where Directory Monitor will be installed, click Next if you don't want to change the folder location.
- You'll see several plugins that are already checked, review which plugins will be installed, if there are any plugins or apps you don't want, uncheck the boxes next to them.
- Once you're done, click Next.
- At this stage, you'll see a folder that will be created in your Start Menu, you can check the Don't Create a start menu folder box if you don't want the Directory Monitor folder taking up space in your Start Menu.
- After that, click Next.
- Check the Create a desktop shortcut box if you want to create a Directory Monitor shortcut on your desktop.
- After that, click the Next button once again.
- Now, click the Install button if you're satisfied with all the settings you've selected.
- Wait while the installer installs Directory Monitor.
- Once the installation is complete, the final screen will appear, make sure the Launch Directory Monitor box is checked, then click Finish.
- Now, wait for Directory Monitor to open.
- Once the program opens, click the Directories menu, located to the right of the File menu and to the left of the Log menu.
- After that, click the Add menu.
- A dialog box will appear, click the vertical ellipsis button [.....] next to the long Directory field, located in the upper-right corner.
- A folder selection window will appear, find the folder you want to monitor.
- Click the folder once, then select Select Folder.
- Now, configure the monitoring settings by checking the Modifications, Deletions, and Renames boxes.
- Then, click the Save button.
- You should now see the folder you've added being monitored by Directory Monitor around the clock.
- You can view all monitored activities and results in the log section at the bottom of Directory Monitor, complete with timestamps, so you can stay alert if someone tries to tamper with your important files.
The monitoring results will appear right in the box I highlighted in orange
- Enjoy.
Final Thoughts
By using Directory Monitor, any changes to files and folders can be monitored more easily and accurately, this software not only helps track data activity but also provides a clear overview of the changes that occur, making it easier to identify and trace every activity.