X-Ways Trace

X-Ways Trace is a comprehensive computer forensics tool developed by X-Ways Software Technology AG that provides significant functionality to examine web browsing activity and track file deletions via the Windows recycle bin. Known for its ability to display complete URLs, dates and times of the last visit, user names, and file sizes, this program serves as a fundamental resource for anyone needing to dissect user activity on a specific computer. The latest version, 3.1, maintains these core functionalities while offering improvements over prior versions like 3.1, 2.8, and 1.5.

This tool allows users to sort information by various criteria and can read from specified files or search through complete folders, subfolders, and even entire hard disks, including their allocated, free space, and slack space. It can also examine raw images of hard disks. The functionality to track user activity is especially useful for professionals in the Security and Privacy subcategories, and X-Ways Trace is particularly adept at searching for specific domain names, file names, and user names.

X-Ways Trace can be downloaded for free and is compatible with Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, and 11. The program, with a compact file size of 189 KB, includes executable files such as trace.exe, and wdftrace.exe, demonstrating its efficiency and ease of use for users handling forensic investigations. Notably, it even logs occasional access to local files.

Pros:

• Comprehensive tracking of web browsing activity and file deletions.
• Ability to sort and read from specific files, folders, and entire hard disks.
• Compact and efficient at 189 KB.
• Compatibility with a wide range of Windows operating systems.

Cons:

• Limited to Windows platforms.
• Occasional logging of local files might not meet all user requirements.

Overall, X-Ways Trace by X-Ways Software Technology AG stands out as an indispensable tool in the realm of computer forensics, designed both efficiently and effectively for forensic experts and privacy professionals.

You may want to check out more software, such as Easy Trace Pro, zebNet Track and Trace or Statement Tracer for Oracle, which might be similar to X-Ways Trace.