How to analyze file age and path length
Select a folder or files, then review the report by last-modified date and path length. Each row shows the file's relative path, size, modified date, age, and three path-length values. The analyzer reads metadata for the report, so the selected files stay unchanged.
- Drop a folder or files onto the drop zone, or select browse folders or browse files.
- Set Inactive threshold (days since modified). The default value is 365.
- Choose a Path-length limit profile, then enter Simulated destination prefix (optional) when you want to model a destination folder.
- Review the age distribution, simulated full-path length distribution, and results table.
- Search by relative path, apply a filter, sort a column, or export the report as CSV or JSON.
How to find inactive files by modified date
Age uses each readable last-modified timestamp and whole days. The report groups files into 0-7 days, 8-30 days, 31-90 days, 91-365 days, 1-3 years, or 3+ years. A file is marked inactive when its age is at least the value in Inactive threshold (days since modified). Files without a readable date stay in the Unknown bucket and never become inactive candidates.
Inactive threshold (days since modified): 365
File age: 400 days
Result: inactiveThe summary cards also identify the oldest and newest items with a readable modified date.
How to check full path length against limits
Each row includes Rel / Base / Full length. The first value counts the browser-supplied relative path, the second counts the final path segment, and the third counts the relative path after the optional simulated prefix is added. The selected profile checks the simulated full path and basename against its limits.
Simulated destination prefix (optional): C:\Users\me\Documents\Archive
Path-length limit profile: Windows (legacy MAX_PATH, 260)
Result: simulated full path is checked against 260 charactersThe selector includes Windows (legacy MAX_PATH, 260), Windows (long paths enabled, 32767), and POSIX / Linux / macOS (4096). Each profile uses a 255-character filename limit. A full path or basename above 90% of its selected limit gets a near-limit flag; a value above the limit gets an exceeds-limit flag. The analyzer also flags Windows-invalid basename characters, trailing dots, and trailing spaces.
What the browser can report about selected files
For each selected file, the code records its name, relative path, size, and last-modified timestamp. It does not inspect file contents. Creation date, access time, symbolic-link targets, hidden-file attributes, and blocked paths are unavailable to this report, so an unreadable modified date appears as Unknown.
Selected metadata is processed in the browser. The page does not send the selected file data to a server, and the tool does not delete, archive, rename, move, or change timestamps.
Where this file analysis comes up
For an older project folder, set the threshold and select Inactive only. The table then shows the matching rows, which you can export for review.
To check a planned archive location, enter its path in Simulated destination prefix (optional), select the relevant profile, and inspect Path issues only or Over limit only.
When to use a different file analyzer
Use File Management Analyze Tools for another kind of local file inspection. Choose Folder Size Analyzer for storage totals, file and folder counts, largest items, and extension breakdowns. Choose Duplicate File Finder for byte-identical files identified by size and SHA-256 content hash. Choose File Encoding & Line-Ending Analyzer for text encoding, line endings, counts, and a safe preview.
Frequently asked questions
How do I analyze file age and path length in a browser?
Drop a folder or files into the page, set the inactive threshold, and choose a path-length profile. The results table shows age, modified date, relative path length, basename length, simulated full-path length, and flags.
How do I find inactive files by modified date?
Set Inactive threshold (days since modified) to the age you want to review. Files at or beyond that age receive the inactive flag, while files without a readable modified date remain Unknown.
How is simulated full path length calculated?
The tool joins the optional simulated destination prefix with the browser-provided relative path and counts the resulting characters. It compares that simulated length and the basename length with the selected profile.
Does this analyzer upload or change my files?
It processes selected metadata in the browser. It does not send file data to a server, delete or rename files, or change timestamps.