In this article, we will explore the importance of enabling folder auditing in Windows and provide step-by-step instructions on how to do it. Folder auditing allows administrators to track and monitor access to specific folders, providing valuable insights into who has accessed or modified files within those folders. This feature is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of sensitive data.

Enabling folder auditing in Windows involves configuring the appropriate security settings and enabling the auditing feature for the desired folders. The steps outlined below are applicable to Windows 10, but similar procedures can be followed in other versions of Windows.

Examples:

Step 1: Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder you want to enable auditing for.

Step 2: Right-click on the folder and select "Properties" from the context menu.

Step 3: In the Properties window, go to the "Security" tab and click on the "Advanced" button.

Step 4: In the Advanced Security Settings window, go to the "Auditing" tab and click on the "Add" button.

Step 5: In the "Select User, Computer, or Group" window, enter the name of the user or group you want to audit and click on the "Check Names" button to validate the entry. Alternatively, you can click on the "Advanced" button to search for users or groups.

Step 6: Once the user or group is selected, choose the desired auditing options from the list. The available options include "Full control," "Modify," "Read & execute," "Read," and "Write." You can also choose to audit successful or failed attempts for each option.

Step 7: Click on the "OK" button to save the changes and close the Advanced Security Settings window.

Step 8: Back in the Properties window, click on the "OK" button to save the changes and close the window.

Now, the folder is configured to audit the specified user or group's access and modifications. The auditing information can be accessed through the Event Viewer, where you can filter and analyze the logged events.