Effects on XYP when files are moved/deleted w/ WinExplorer

[arbalest]

I could not find the right search terms to see if this was already asked so, if it's already here, sorry. I have note installed the tool yet but I wanted to ask first rather than try this in case it can cause some problem.

I am wondering what happens if I tag, comment, color some file or directory using XYplorer then somebody else, or an app or me by accident moves it or renames it with another tool like Windows Explorer? Will the meta data about the file with the new name/location be missing? If so, is the meta data maintained by XYP orphaned or is it automatically garbage collected out of where it is stored?

[highend]

It is an orphan (the tag data) when that happens. It's still in XY's database (tag.dat) in the "Data" folder but the file doesn't exist any more (in the same place). So if you use the tagging system of XY, make sure that other people don't move your files around (especially NOT with something that is not XY itself)...

[arbalest]

Thanks. I had confirmed that by changing a file name in Windows Explorer the new name is reflected in XYplorer immediately but tags and comments are gone. Hopefully the one orphan won't cause a problem and I will avoid using those features where I someone else might make changes.

[highend]

Hopefully the one orphan won't cause a problem

No, don't worry.

You can always let XY search for and clean up orphans by going to:
Configuration | Tags | Options - Database Check...