C# follow folder junctions with FileSystemWatcher

Question

Is it possible to configure a FileSystemWatcher to watch other folders which are linked in with a folder junction point?

for example:

You are watching D:

You have D:\junction which points to E:\folder

When I create a file in E:\folder\file.txt I want to see it with the watcher as D:\junction\file.txt.

Is this possible?

Thanks.

Answer 1

FileSystemWatcher is not supposed to monitor junctions or symlinks... and it monitors one folder at a time.

Answer 2

Although Junctions are not supported, I believe Hard Links are:

• http://qualapps.blogspot.com/2010/05/understanding-readdirectorychangesw_19.html
• http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/fsutil_hardlink.mspx?mfr=true

Answer 3

A workaround is to setup FileSystemWatcher for each subfolder including junction points.

private static void SetupFileSystemWatchers(string path, FileSystemEventHandler changedEventHandler)
{
  if (!string.IsNullOrEmpty(path) && Directory.Exists(path))
  {
    var watcher = new FileSystemWatcher(path);
    watcher.IncludeSubdirectories = false;
    watcher.Changed += changedEventHandler;
    watcher.EnableRaisingEvents = true;

    foreach (var subDirectory in Directory.GetDirectories(path))
    {
      SetupFileSystemWatchers(subDirectory, changedEventHandler);
    }
  }