TrayApp & MonitoringFolderService

📌 Overview

TrayApp is a lightweight system tray application designed to work alongside MonitoringFolderService, a Windows Service for automated folder monitoring and logging. The service runs in the background, ensuring persistent and reliable operation without user interaction.

You can also use MonitoringFolderService as a standalone service without TrayApp. It will function independently, logging all monitored events to the log folder specified in App.config. However, without the app, you will not receive real-time notifications.

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✨ Features

• 📂 Automated Folder Monitoring – Tracks folder changes in real-time, detecting additions and deletions.
• 📜 Event Logging – Logs system events directly to a file.
• 🖥 Runs in Background – Operates silently without requiring user interaction.
• 🔄 Auto-Start – The service starts automatically with Windows.
• ⚡ Lightweight – Minimal resource usage for efficient performance.

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🛠 Technologies Used

• C# (.NET Framework) – Core development language.
• Windows Services – Background execution and automation.
• System.IO – File system monitoring.
• Event Logging – Capturing system activity.

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⚠️ Important Note

Before running the service, you must update the monitored folder path in the App.config file inside the service folder. The default paths are:

• Monitored Folder: E:\FolderMonitoring\Source
• Logs Folder: E:\FolderMonitoring\Logs

If your system does not have an E: drive, the service will fail to start. Modify these paths according to your system configuration before proceeding.

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🚀 Installation Guide

1️⃣ Installing TrayApp (System Tray Application)

1. Download & Extract the project folder.
2. Navigate to:
   MonitoringFolderService/bin/Debug/
3. Locate TrayApp.exe
4. Run TrayApp.exe manually for the first time.
5. The TrayApp will now start automatically every time you turn on your PC.

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2️⃣ Installing MonitoringFolderService (Windows Service)

📌 Using InstallUtil

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Navigate to the .NET Framework directory:

   cd C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework64\v4.0.30319

3. Run the InstallUtil command to install the service:

   InstallUtil "C:\Path\To\MonitoringFolderService.exe"

4. To uninstall the service:

   InstallUtil /u "C:\Path\To\MonitoringFolderService.exe"

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🔧 Uninstalling the Service

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Stop the service:

   sc stop MonitoringFolderService

3. Delete the service:

   sc delete MonitoringFolderService

4. Manually delete the MonitoringFolderService.exe file if needed.

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🛠 Managing the Service

• To restart the service:

  sc stop MonitoringFolderService && sc start MonitoringFolderService

• To check service status:

  sc query MonitoringFolderService

• To manually start the service:

  sc start MonitoringFolderService

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🤝 How to Contribute

We welcome contributions! To get started:

1. Fork the Repository – Clone your own copy.
2. Create a Branch – Work on a feature or bugfix.
3. Commit Changes – Ensure clear commit messages.
4. Push to GitHub – Submit a pull request.
5. Review & Merge – Your contribution will be reviewed and merged.

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💡 Notes

• Ensure you have Administrator Privileges when installing or managing the service.
• If you encounter issues, check the Windows Event Viewer for logs.
• The service runs silently in the background and logs file activities into a designated log file.

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📌 Now you're all set! 🚀 Enjoy seamless, automated monitoring with TrayApp & MonitoringFolderService!