NoVirusThanks Stream Detector is a free tool which searches files in a specified directory tree for alternate data streams (a feature which allows data to be "attached" to a file, without it being visible in Explorer or other software).

Select your root folder, an optional file mask, click Scan and the program goes to work.

Streams are listed as they're found, along with various details: file name, stream name, stream type, content type, base type and size.

Right-clicking any file gives options to view its properties, search for it on Google, delete it or open its containing folder.

You're also able to delete the selected stream, extract it, or delete every stream you've found so far.

A bonus tool provides a way to create your own alternate data stream: select a host file, a file to be the "stream", enter a stream name and you're done. This can be a simple way to hide files from others, but don't rely on it for anything critical, or to transport files to another system. Security software will often check for streams and raise an alert if they notice anything unusual.

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