Mftecmd

MFTECmd

Structured extraction and timeline analysis of NTFS metadata artifacts.

When to use

• You received an $MFT (or NTFS metadata set) and need forensic timeline answers.
• You must identify deleted, hidden, copied, or modified files quickly.
• You need reproducible metadata export for filtering in Timeline Explorer/CSV tools.

Core workflow

1. Parse artifact into structured output (CSV/JSON).
2. Normalize timezone assumptions before interpretation.
3. Filter for key flags and record metadata:
   • in-use vs deleted
   • hidden/system flags
   • copied/renamed indicators
   • entry/record number pivots
4. Compare creation vs modification times for suspicious edits.
5. Build concise chronology and annotate confidence.

Analyst pivots

• By EntryNumber for objective-driven tasks.
• By filename/extension for target-object hunts.
• By timestamp deltas for post-creation tampering.
• By flags for hidden/deleted artifacts.

Practical tips

• Export first, investigate second: deterministic outputs reduce mistakes.
• Treat timestamp precision consistently (same timezone/display granularity).
• Keep system files excluded only when case requirements explicitly request it.
• Cross-check critical findings with other artifacts when available (logs, prefetch, registry).

Common pitfalls

• Confusing renamed/copied artifacts with newly created originals.
• Treating a single timestamp in isolation as full chronology.
• Ignoring metadata context (directory entries, flags, and record linkage).

Output expectations

• Artifact summary (years/periods of activity, notable paths).
• Findings table with record IDs, filename, key timestamps, relevant flags.
• Timeline segment of suspicious or investigation-relevant file operations.