Belvedere is an automatic file manager for Windows. It performs actions on files and folders based upon the rules you define. Managing multiple files in multiple folders is not an easy task. Not like other file explorers, you can use this freeware to clean as well as manage files on your PC automatically. For eg., if you take screenshots regularly and want to manage them date wise or delete the older one automatically; you can do this with the help of this program. The interface of this program is very simple and easy to understand. The program sits in the system tray and works in the background. Whenever it matches the condition and find the correct match; it performs the specified action.
The program has 2 menus (File and Help) and 3 tabs (Folders, Recycle Bin, and Preferences) containing various commands. Below is a screenshot of its main interface.
How to Setup Belvedere to Manage Your Files:
You first have to choose the desired folder by clicking the “+” button on its Folders tab. Now, browse a folder and select it. Now it is added in the Folders pane. Click it to select it and click “+” button of “Edit Rule” pane. A new “Create a rule” window will open. Here you can set the rule as per need.
For eg., if you want to move the older files to a specific folder, you can write the desired rule just by selecting the desired values from the various drop downs.
In the above example (screenshot), I am setting a rule to move files which are not opened since last 5 days and moving them to the Old folder in C Drive. There are various commands available in the drop down and you can combine multiple rules together also.
It is helpful if you check the rule by clicking Test button on the Edit Rule window.
You can apply the “Confirm Action” option for any rule your specified to confirm it before executing the commands of a specific rule.
Various Actions You Can Use When Defining Rules:
First of all, you can choose a value from If drop down (All or Any condition met the defined rule). Then you can select the criteria, like: Name, Extension, Size, Date last modified, Date last opened, and Date created. When you choose any of these, the value based upon it in the next field also changes. For e.g. you can choose “Date last opened” then the second parameter will be either of “is in the last/is not in the last“. Similarly, if you choose “Size” then the second parameter will become “is, is not, is greater than, is greater than or equal to“, etc.
Now based upon these conditions you can choose the action from the “Do the following:” drop down box, the options are:
Move file, Move file & leave shortcut, Rename file, Send file to Recycle Bin, Delete File, Copy file, Open file, Print file, Custom, and Add to iTunes.
All the above-said actions are self-explanatory and these can be triggered upon meeting the condition selected in rule automatically.
It also has an option to exclude files having any of these attributes if chosen “Read Only, Hidden, and/or System”
How to Manage Recycle Bin with Belvedere:
You can manage your recycle bin also with the help of this program. Just go to the Recycle Bin tab and check the two boxes shown below. The first checkbox allows it to manage your Recycle Bin, and in the second check box, you can control the time at which to Empty the Recycle Bin. Don’t forget to click the “Save Preferences” button at the bottom.
Some Useful Commands in File Menu:
- Pause: This command lets you pause/un pause the program temporarily.
- Backup Settings: You can use this command to Backup your settings in TXT or INI file.
- Import Settings: You can import backed up settings by using this command.
- View Log: Program log if enabled and saved can be viewed by using this command.
The Preferences Tab:
Preferences tab has various configuration settings and you can apply settings as per requirement.
For e.g. Sleeptime (time to rotate through rules) can be controlled by specifying a value to it. The value can be Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, or Weeks. You can configure Belvedere to confirm before exiting.
There are Logging/Alert options can also be configured. For e.g. if chosen, it can log when System Events occur (change in options, rule creation, deletion, or activation, on System Actions, and also for Both.
The “Default Rules Options” can also be configured as per requirement, for e.g. when writing a new rule, the Create Rule dialog box can be checked/unchecked by default for options like Enabled, Confirm Action, and Recursive.
Command Line Parameters:
Belvedere can be controlled through command line also. You can use the following command to run this program in the specified number of times (integer value you choose). At Command Prompt, type the following command:
Belvedere.exe -r <integer>
Conclusion:
Belvedere is a simple and useful automatic file manager tool which lets to manage your files very easily. You can manage plenty of files and folders by using it with very less manual effort.
