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How to Automatically Track Files Opened and Saved in Windows

John Wilson Sep 25, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs a method to automatically create a monthly log recording which files are opened, accessed, and saved to assist with project tracking.

How to Automatically Track Files Opened and Saved in Windows

Product: Windows / Power Automate
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Creating an automated log for file activity monitoring and project management.
Observed behavior: Requires a workflow setup to automatically capture and record file access dates, save times, and opened status without manual data entry.

Before you start

Verify whether the files you want to track are stored locally on your hard drive, in OneDrive, or on a SharePoint server, as the storage location determines the type of automation triggers available to you.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Microsoft Power Automate for OneDrive and SharePoint Files

For files stored in the cloud, Power Automate offers seamless integration to automatically log file creation, modification, and access details into an Excel sheet.

Power Automate is ideal for tracking files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint. Note that the available triggers depend on whether you are using a personal, work, or school Microsoft account.

Log in to Power Automate

Navigate to the Power Automate web portal and sign in with your Microsoft account.

Create a New Flow

Click on 'Create' from the left sidebar and select 'Automated cloud flow'.

Choose a Trigger

Search for and select a trigger like 'When a file is created or modified (properties only)' for SharePoint or OneDrive.

Add an Action

Click 'New step' and choose 'Add a row into a table' (Excel Online). Map the file properties (Name, Modified Time, etc.) to the respective columns in your predefined tracking spreadsheet.

Save and Test

Save your flow and perform a test by modifying a file in the target folder to ensure the Excel log updates automatically.

Use Microsoft Power Automate for OneDrive and SharePoint Files

Advanced Monitoring: For complex or local file monitoring workflows, consider consulting the Microsoft Power Platform Community.

Solution 2

Enable Local File Auditing via Windows Event Viewer

If your files are stored locally on your Windows PC, you can use the built-in Group Policy and Event Viewer to log access and modifications.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Streamline Your Document Management with WPS Office

Setting up automated file tracking can be complex. If your main goal is to easily access and monitor your project documents, WPS Office offers an intuitive, built-in file management system with cloud synchronization, serving as a highly compatible and lightweight alternative to Microsoft Office.

1. Download and Install: Download WPS Office for free from the official website and install it on your Windows PC.
2. Open the Application: Launch WPS Office and navigate to the 'Recent' tab on the home screen.
3. View Document History: Browse your recently opened and saved files directly without needing complex third-party tracking logs.

High compatibility with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint file formats.Built-in 'Recent' interface to effortlessly view and access recently opened and saved project files.WPS Cloud automatically saves historical versions and synchronizes files across your Windows, Mac, and mobile devices.Free to download and lightweight on system resources.

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Windows track when a file was last opened by default?

In many modern versions of Windows, the 'Last Access Time' update is disabled by default to improve overall system performance. It mostly tracks 'Date Created' and 'Date Modified' out of the box.

Can I use Power Automate for free?

Power Automate offers a free tier for personal use, but premium triggers and certain enterprise connectors required for advanced SharePoint or Office 365 file tracking may require a paid subscription.

Is it possible to track files opened by other users on a shared network drive?

Yes, but this requires enabling File System Auditing on the server hosting the shared drive. Event logs will be recorded in the server's Event Viewer, noting which user account accessed or modified the files.

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