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The goal: I just want to see an icon of a file immediately after its creation (in a specified directory). The file will be created by a different program, I'm just waiting for it to appear.

I tried many file managers, but got no results. They all (incl. Windows Explorer itself) have the same problem: if I keep the folder opened, the new file becomes appended somewhere at the bottom, but since there is no automatic scrolling to the very bottom, that file is hidden!

Note: Neither F5 (refresh) nor reordering (by creation time) are not an option - this will take too much of my time. I need to focus the new file automatically after creation, so it becomes visible immediately, without any additional steps. All I want is to not waste my time focusing the new file!

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  • @AngeloFuchs: Of course, the files will be created by another program, not Explorer itself. If I create a file using Explorer, the problem does not exist because that file is focused and visible immediately after creation...
    – lyrically wicked
    Jul 15, 2015 at 8:49
  • @lyricallywicked valid points. I've integrated that directly with your question to make it obvious to "new readers". Let's remove the corresponding comments now to keep the page clean (makes it easier to "focus" :D)
    – Izzy ♦
    Jul 15, 2015 at 9:00
  • Is your goal to open the file (so would a program that automatically opens any new file in a directory solve your problem) or do you want to be aware of that file (so would a program that automatically informs you of a new file be okay?) or what do you want to do with the file? Something new every time or always the same thing?
    – Angelo Fuchs
    Jul 15, 2015 at 10:16
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    @FranckDernoncourt: I tried portable versions of CubicExplorer, Explorer++, FreeCommander, Q-Dir, Xenon File Manager - found in portableapps.com/apps/utilities.
    – lyrically wicked
    Jul 16, 2015 at 2:43
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    @AngeloFuchs: I want to keep the folder opened (in some file browser/manager), and when a new file arrives to that folder, its icon must be visible immediately without, say, manual scrolling. It doesn't matter what I want to do with the file, all I want is to see it immediately after creation. Maybe double-click it, maybe right-click it to show the context menu...
    – lyrically wicked
    Jul 16, 2015 at 2:58

1 Answer 1

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You can use Total Commander (and numerous others), which lets you sort a directory by date.

enter image description here (unfortunately, this shows sort by name - but I often sort by date (and you can infer it from this part of the FAQ)).

Btw, Total Commander will auto-refresh the directory when the new file appears).

[Update] it seems that you would be limited to having TC open and scrolled to the top, sorted by date. If you leave TC open only for that porpoise then you can do what you want.

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  • Unfortunately, I did not find any "official" portable version of Total Commander, and I'm not going to follow instructions of www.ghisler.com/usbinst.htm. Is there any alternative that has a portable version?
    – lyrically wicked
    Jul 16, 2015 at 2:47
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    I tried FreeCommander already. No, it does not focus (scroll to) the most recently created file automatically. Actually, I even doubt if TotalCommander will do this.
    – lyrically wicked
    Jul 16, 2015 at 9:16
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    TC does not need admin rights to install. I just tested it, behind a very nasty company firewall that won't let me install anything (only the IT dept can do that). I downloaded and ran the installer and chose to put data in the program, directory (I suspect that trying to write to the registry would require admin rights, but you do not need to do that). I opened a directory with a few 100 files, sorted by date, and scrolled down, than created a new file in notepad. TC did not auto-scroll up Alas. However, when I was already scrolled to the top, the new file did appear there ...
    – Mawg says reinstate Monica
    Jul 16, 2015 at 12:07
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    So, it seems that you would be limited to having TC open and scrolled to the top, sorted by date. If you leave TC open only for that porpoise then you can do what you want. Beyond that, I am sorry, I can help no more. Good luck!
    – Mawg says reinstate Monica
    Jul 16, 2015 at 12:08
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    @Mawg could you edit the last to comments into the answer? That way its clear how it serves the purpose of the question.
    – Angelo Fuchs
    Jul 16, 2015 at 17:52

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