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FileActivityWatch vs Process Monitor: catalog facts
FileActivityWatch	Process Monitor
Free Freeware from NirSoft with no paid tier.	Free Free to download and use, published by Microsoft as part of the Sysinternals suite. The…
Windows	Windows
Links each file operation to the process that made it Folder and drive summary modes	Shows the exact file or registry path that failed and the result code it returned Non-destructive filtering, so you can narrow down after capturing rather than before
Requires running as Administrator Windows only	Windows only for the main version Generates enormous volumes of events; filtering is mandatory, not optional
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Closed source	Closed source
License: Freeware	License not stated
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 8, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 21, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.