How to monitor changes to system by application installation?

[pcsql66]

I want to find out what changes (registry, files, etc) has been done by an application installation. Is there any freeware for Windows 7 to keep a snapshot of the system before installing an application and then used the snapshot to report all the changes by the application installation?

 

[Ztruker]

You can do this with Process Monitor from SysInternals. No installation needed. Download and run Procmon.exe.

Click on Help then How to use then look at the info for Registry.

 

[pcsql66]

You can do this with Process Monitor from SysInternals. No installation needed. Download and run Procmon.exe.

Click on Help then How to use then look at the info for Registry.

I don't think Process Monitor can take a snapshot and report differences. If it does, I must have missed it.

 

[TanyaC]

I want to find out what changes (registry, files, etc) has been done by an application installation. Is there any freeware for Windows 7 to keep a snapshot of the system before installing an application and then used the snapshot to report all the changes by the application installation?

I used to use this one..

SpyMe Tools - Monitor Registry & File System Changes

Don't know if it is still any good..

 

[Bill2]

Regshot for before and after reg snapshots.

regshot | Download regshot software for free at SourceForge.net

For file changes, different tools, see here.

Tracking Registry and Files Changes When Installing Software in Windows | Raymond.CC Blog