Any new software installed in your system is not installed alone. To function and work properly, it may require many other files and registries. Whenever you install any software, all the required files are also copied into the system.
Whenever you uninstall the software from the Windows Operating System, it is not guaranteed that all its supported files and registries will also be removed. Some of them remain in your system. These files are unnecessary and occupy unused space or memory in your system. Therefore, you must keep track of all the additional files on your computer. There are several software programs that offer this functionality. They will keep track of all files before and after the installation of the software, and notify you that these files are from that particular application. Therefore, you may take any action according to your needs.
The following are software that monitors your system for file and registry changes. Tip: You can also create a backup/clone of your system using the image software.
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MultiMon
Multimon is a powerful monitoring software with many features, including monitoring Registry entries. This application displays the results of a wide range of activities in real time. You can export the output to text files or use any output viewer. This tool allows the user to visualize all activities in a single view. You can view detailed information regarding the activities.
While I have not tested it on Windows 11, it should work on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
You can download MultiMon from here (under system monitoring tools)
Once MultiMon has been downloaded, you will need to run its exe file in order to install it on your computer. As soon as the installation is complete, a window will appear asking you what you would like to monitor and which drive. Once you click the play button, all the results will be displayed. The output can also be exported in text format. Multimon takes snapshots of the entire Registry.
You should click the play button before installing the new software and after installing it so you have both the snapshots and you can see which files and Registry entries have been changed in the meantime.
Regshot Unicode
Regshot Unicode is an Open-source Registry monitoring tool that monitors your computer’s file system and Registry keys. A snapshot of the system registry is taken before and after the changes have been made. You will be able to see what changes have been made to your files by looking at that snapshot. The remote registry option has also been added to the latest release.
Upon installing Regshot Unicode on your system, a window will appear. Click on “1st When you click on “capture shot”, it will capture the image without downloading any software. Now download and install any software/program and then click on “2nd shot”. After comparing the two shots, HTML log will be opened that displays all the changes that took place following the installation of the new program.
InstallWatch Pro
You may also use InstallWatch to monitor your files. It works quite the same as RegShot. It provides 2 points and then compares the changes between these two points.
Using this software, you can identify, detect, and track changes made to files and directories in great detail. The displayed results are very easy to read. The app will prompt you to take a snapshot before and after analyzing the snapshot. The results will be displayed in either HTML or text. Using the results, you can see exactly which Registry settings have been changed.
Download InstallWatch Pro from here
SysTracer
Another utility, called SysTracer, scans and checks your system for changed Registry keys and files.
A very useful tool, it first scans your entire computer and tracks any changes made to files, registry entries, installed programs, system services, running processes, and opened UDP and TCP ports.
Initially, it will scan your computer. It is necessary for you to select the files that you wish to scan with it. Then it will create a binary image file, known as a snapshot.
Snap shots are helpful for checking the modified files after scanning and before scanning.
The Registry can also be searched.
Moreover, you can view the difference list and you can export it wherever you wish. This will make it easy for you to find the results.
WhatChanged
WhatChanged is a program designed to track changes to your computer files and Registry monitoring. In essence, it uses the “Brute Force” method in order to record the modifications in files and registry entries recently made to your system’s files and registry. This will make it easier for you to present the changes. WhatChanged informs you about the new programs you have installed in your system, and if any program is present in your system that is unnecessary, it deletes it.
Download WhatChanged from here.
Process Monitor
Process Monitor is a real time monitoring tool used to monitor files and the registry. It comes with some advanced features. It scans the system in real time and shows you the changes that occurred in the Registry and Files of System.
In addition to detecting and correcting any errors in the Windows Registry, it also fixes them. This is a free tool.
Download Process Monitor form here
RegistryChangesView
RegistryChangesView allows you to take a snapshot of the Windows Registry and compare different snapshots. You can also compare your saved Registry snapshots and the snapshots in the Windows Shado Copy.
By comparing two Registry snapshots, you can see the changes made between the two snapshots in the Registry, and optionally export the Registry changes into a .reg file, which can then be opened in RegEdit. You can run the .reg file to revert the changes.
There are several free tools available that allow you to monitor your files and make registry changes easily. Now that you have installed the software or program, you will notice all the changes made to your system.
