How to copy new file created by third party application automatically on windows?

Question

Is it possible to copy a new file created by third party application inside a directory automatically on windows?

It goes like:

Third party process 'P' creates a new temporary file 'F' inside a directory 'D'. Whenever this file F is created by the process P, I want to copy this file F into another directory D2. Additional problem is that file F gets deleted by the process P after some time. So cron job won't help.

I think, I need to trap 'new file created' event somehow, if any such thing exists.

Answer 1

You should create an application that constantly monitors that directory for new files, and moves them as soon as they are created.

There is no "new file created" event to monitor.

Answer 2

The easiest way would be to write a program in c# which uses the FileSystemWatcher class.

See: FileSystemWatcher

Then catch the created event, and copy the file.

Answer 3

You could use .NET's FileSystemWatcher class to monitor a directory for new files.

If you're looking for a more native solution, check out the FindFirstChangeNotification family of Win32 functions.

Answer 4

Quick and Dirty: You can run a simple .bat file that contains an infinite loop. Inside the loop copy (with overwrite /y) the content of the directory, and then use the sleep command to rest for a while.

This solution is quick to develop and test.