How-to // Data discovery scan
Run a data discovery scan on Windows
A data discovery scan finds where sensitive data lives across your files. Here is how to run one on Windows, privately, with FileSentinel.
What it is
Data discovery, explained
A data discovery scan systematically reads your files to find sensitive data, personal identifiers, payment data, health information, credentials, so you know what you hold and where. It is the foundation of every privacy and compliance effort.
On Windows, you can run one entirely on your own machine. Here is how.
The process
Run a discovery scan in five steps
Get FileSentinel
Install FileSentinel from the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 or 11.
Pick your scope
Choose folders, drives, or a network share, and use include and exclude filters to focus the scan.
Enable OCR
Turn on OCR so images and scanned PDFs are read, not skipped.
Scan and triage
Run the scan and triage findings by severity and confidence; flag your most critical categories as Crown Jewels.
Report and remediate
Export a CSV, HTML, or PDF report, then redact, strip, or remove what the scan found.
Private and local
Discovery without exposure
The whole scan runs on your device. Nothing is uploaded, so discovering your sensitive data does not create a new copy of it somewhere else. Check the Microsoft Store listing for current pricing.
Related
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Questions & answers
FAQ
What is a data discovery scan?
It is a systematic scan of your files to find sensitive data and where it lives. FileSentinel does this on Windows, reading inside documents, spreadsheets, PDFs, and images.
Can I run one without uploading my files?
Yes. FileSentinel runs the entire scan on your device with no uploads or cloud.
How do I focus a large scan?
Use include and exclude filters to target specific folders or file types, and flag key categories as Crown Jewels so they are escalated.
How much does it cost?
See the Microsoft Store listing for current pricing. FileSentinel installs in one click.
Get FileSentinel
Run a Free Data Discovery Scan on Windows
Install FileSentinel from the Microsoft Store and scan your files for sensitive data, all on your Windows PC with nothing uploaded.