FileToFolder

FileToFolder is an interesting bit of freeware that basically does one thing: it "folderizes" files, by which we mean it creates an individual folder for any file you apply it to. It keeps you from having to move up and down the directory, creating folders and moving files. It integrates with context menus in Windows, but you can also use its regular interface to process batches of files. FileToFolder requires Microsoft's .NET Framework 4.0, which you can download for free from Microsoft's support site if your copy of Windows lacks it.

This program's simple but clean interface includes a row of buttons, file path and filter fields, and check boxes to make folders without moving files and to include subfolders. We clicked the button to add the program to context menus in Windows; we could also toggle the option off via the same button. Next we opened a folder of digital snapshots, right-clicked one, and selected FileToFolder on the context menu. The Windows User Account Control (UAC) file modification pop-up appeared, and we authorized the changes. FileToFolder created a new folder and placed the file inside it. Next we selected half a dozen files at once, but when we activated FileToFolder, we had to authorize each change in the UAC. Reducing the security setting didn't help; we had to turn off notifications entirely in our UAC settings to allow FileToFolder to create folders and move files without having to authorize each operation individually--not a wise security status to maintain. We returned to the program's interface and browsed to a folder. Unfortunately, while we were able to specify file types to exclude, there's no way to select a range of files from a folder or even to display them; it's all or none. But when we clicked Folderize, nothing happened--no UAC pop-up, no Results log, no folderized files in the directory, even with file modification notices turned off.

We don't quite know what to make of FileToFolder. On the one hand, it adds a useful capability to the Context Menu, albeit one that requires authorization for each transaction, at least in Windows 7. On the other hand, there seems to be some bugginess. We like the idea, but we'd also like to see some improved functionality.