Vovsoft Directory Monitor: A Live Log of What Happens in a Folder
Directory Monitor is a $19 Windows program from Vovsoft that logs files being added, changed, renamed or removed in a folder or network share, and can run a batch file when they are. The $19 is a one-time lifetime license. The free trial logs changes but can't run actions.
It answers "what just touched this folder?" It can't tell you who did it.
Quick facts
- Version: 2.2, released September 4, 2026
- Developer: Vovsoft
- Platform: Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista and XP, 32-bit and 64-bit. No Mac or Linux version
- Events: Added, Modified, Renamed, Removed
- Scope: One folder or network share, with or without subfolders
- Filters: Include and exclude patterns, minimum and maximum file size
- Logs: Export to TXT or CSV, auto-save to file
- Editions: installer (3.69 MB) and portable (2.43 MB), one license for both
- Price: $19, one-time payment, lifetime license with free updates
- Trial: free to try. Monitoring and logs, with a nag screen, no actions. It isn't allowed for commercial use
- Refunds: Vovsoft's general policy is no refunds, since a free trial comes first. An order placed by accident is generally refunded, at the company's discretion, and PayPro Global has the final say on orders placed through it
- What we checked: installer file version 2.2.0.0 (3,874,888 bytes) with a valid code signature, downloaded from the vendor on November 10, 2026, and $19.00 total on the order page with no auto-renewal on November 10, 2026. We didn't run a monitoring session ourselves
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Overview
Pick a directory and press Start. Each event appears as a line with its date, type and path. It can sit in the system tray and start monitoring on its own at launch.
Monitoring C:\ in real time, with a line per event showing date, event type and path.
Features
Real-time event log
Directory Monitor records additions, modifications, renames and deletions as they happen, including those made by background processes.
Actions on events
Directory Monitor can run a batch file when a file is added, changed, renamed or removed. That's how you'd compress, copy, upload or email a new file automatically. This needs the license.
Patterns and size limits
Directory Monitor includes or excludes file masks such as *.txt and can ignore files outside a size range, so a busy folder stays readable.
Log export
Directory Monitor writes logs to TXT or CSV and can auto-save them to a file as it goes.
Who It's For, and Who Should Skip It
It suits admins and developers who want to see what a program writes to disk, and people automating a drop folder.
Skip it if you're comfortable scripting: PowerShell's free FileSystemWatcher class does the same job in a few lines. If you need to know which user changed a file, you need Windows file auditing in the Security log, which this doesn't replace.
Usage Guide
- Download the installer or the portable edition and start the program.
- Choose the directory and tick Include Subdirectories if you want them.
- Set include or exclude patterns if needed.
- Press Start.
- Export the log, or use Create Action to attach a batch file to an event.
Before you buy
One license covers one person on as many of their own computers as they use, or one shared workstation used by several people in turn. Using a key on too many computers at the same time can get it revoked.
Where it falls short
- It watches one directory at a time. Monitoring several is the most-voted open request.
- It can't show who made a change on a network share.
- There's no built-in email or SMS alert, unless you write a batch action to send one.
- Watching a whole drive floods the log with Windows' own activity, so use filters.
- The interface is English only.
What Users Say
What reviewers say
Vovsoft's product page shows a rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 8 reviews, with this comment.
"Amazing software, thank you so much!" OKr
Editions and Pricing
| Edition | Price | License | What you get |
|---|
| Trial | Free | Personal, non-commercial use | Monitoring and logs, with a nag screen, no actions |
| Licensed | $19 one-time | Lifetime | Commercial use, no nag screen, lifetime free updates, all features |
The installer and portable editions use the same license key, and the key is delivered right after payment.
FAQs
Can Directory Monitor watch a network share?
Directory Monitor can monitor network shares as well as local folders.
Can Directory Monitor run a program when a new file arrives?
Directory Monitor's licensed version can run a batch file on Added, Modified, Renamed or Removed events.
Is Directory Monitor a subscription?
Directory Monitor is a one-time purchase, with a license that doesn't expire and free updates.
System Requirements
- Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, 7, Vista and XP, 32-bit or 64-bit
- 3.69 MB for the installer, 2.43 MB for the portable edition
Conclusion
Worth $19 if you want folder monitoring with a window and a log, without writing a script. The reason to buy it is the event actions, which turn a folder into a simple automation trigger. The main reason not to is that it covers only one directory at a time.
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