Watch Folders
Automatically rename files as they're added to designated folders.
Overview
Watch Folders monitor specific directories and automatically process new files using your chosen template.
Setting Up a Watch Folder
- Go to Settings → Watch Folders
- Click Add Folder
- Select a directory to watch
- Choose a naming template
- Configure options
- Click Save
Options
Processing Behavior
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Rename in place | Files stay in the same folder |
| Move to output | Files move to a different folder |
| Copy to output | Original files remain, copies are renamed |
File Filters
Control which files are processed:
Include: *.jpg, *.png, *.pdf
Exclude: *.tmp, desktop.ini
Scheduling
- Always active - Process files immediately
- Scheduled - Only process during specific hours
- Manual trigger - Process on demand
Use Cases
Photo Import
Watch your camera's import folder to automatically organize new photos.
Document Scanning
Process scanned documents as they're saved from your scanner.
Download Organization
Rename and sort files from your Downloads folder.
Troubleshooting
Files not being processed?
- Check that the folder is being watched (green indicator)
- Verify file types match your filters
- Ensure FilesDesk is running
- Check the activity log for errors
High CPU usage?
- Limit the number of simultaneous watch folders
- Use scheduled processing for large folders
- Exclude unnecessary file types