How it works
- Choose the folder, a name pattern such as *.jpg; *.png, and whether to include subfolders.
- Pick which changes count: created, changed and renamed are on by default; deleted or moved away is off.
- It waits until a file has been quiet for the settle time (1 second by default), so a file being written fires once, and one created then deleted fires nothing.
- Temporary files like .tmp, .crdownload and Office ~$ files are ignored unless you turn that off.
- The routine gets the file's details, the kind of change and the old path for renames; changes made by KeyRoutines itself don't count.
Routines that use it
New screenshot, new name
When a PNG appears in Screenshots, Rename file gives it a date-based name.
Scanner inbox
When a PDF lands in the scan folder, Move or copy file files it into Documents\Scans and Show banner confirms it.
Reload on config edits
When a settings file changes, Read JSON value picks up the new value and applies it.
Settings
| Setting | What it does |
|---|---|
| Folder | The folder to watch. |
| Pattern | Only names like these, e.g. *.pdf or *.jpg; *.png (empty = every file). |
| Include subfolders | Also watch the folders inside it. |
| Created | When a file appears. |
| Changed | When a file's contents change. |
| Renamed | When a file is renamed. |
| Deleted | When a file is deleted or moved away. |
| Settle | Fire once the file has been quiet this long (a file being written changes many times). |
| Ignore temporaryadvanced | Ignore temporary files (.tmp, .crdownload, ~$ Office files). |
Questions
- How do I watch a folder for new files on Windows?
- Use the Folder changed trigger, pick the folder and leave "when a file appears" on. Add steps for what should happen to each new file.
- Why does my routine fire only once while a big file copies?
- It waits for the file to be quiet for the settle time before firing. That way a file that changes many times while it's written starts the routine once.