IDE 2.1.0: unable to watch for file changes in this large workspace

Development Tools IDE 2.x
1

On Windows 11

I just updated to IDE v2.1.0 - no problems reported on that.

Then opened the IDE, and tried to add the 'Arduino Mbed OS Nano Boards' library from the Library Manager.

I get the warning message, "Unable to watch for file changes in this large workspace. Please follow the instructions link to resolve this issue":

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The instructions are only for Linux.

Google finds several old (~ 2021) threads reporting this, none of which gives an actual solution; eg,

https://forum.arduino.cc/t/unable-to-watch-for-file-changes-in-this-large-workspace

https://forum.arduino.cc/t/watching-files-message-at-ide2-start

(only allows to give 2 links)

Is this a regression, or was it never fixed?

Those threads suggest it's a false positive - is that true?
ie, is it benign?

2

Another old thread:

https://forum.arduino.cc/t/unable-to-watch-for-file-changes-in-this-large-workspace-warning

3

Seems that this is a Known Issue - since 2022:

4

Hi @awneil

I can see that the "Arduino Mbed OS Nano Boards" platform installation was successful so I do believe this is benign and you should be able to safely ignore the "Unable to watch for the changes in this large workspace." warning notification.

Are you experiencing any problems with the functionality of Arduino IDE?

Do you encounter this notification regularly when using Arduino IDE, or did it only occur the one time?

Was the sketch you had open in Arduino IDE at the time the error occurred saved, or is it only an unsaved new sketch?

5

Thanks

Immediately after the v2.1.0 update, before adding the Nano Boards library, I had successfully built an existing DUE sketch.

EDIT: I can still build that sketch without receiving any errors or warnings.

This error appeared at the end of installing the Nano Boards library - before I had any chance to do anything of my own.

It was just the unsaved blank new sketch that the IDE automatically creates when you do File > New Sketch

6

I had this message a few months ago, and at the time, I was told it was a known spurious message. I'm not surprised to see it again, and can only say that I was assured it was unimportant.
I have not seen this message at all since updating to version 2 of the Arduino IDE, but I haven't installed or updated many libraries.
Hope this helps or reassures you.

7

I get this very occasionally but I'm sure it's my own doing. Had one last week for the first time in a long time; reasonably sure it happened when I was cleaning out the stuff that the IDE leaves behind in the temporary directory, just deleted one file too many that was in use by the IDE at that time :wink:

1 Like
8

I got that message quite a lot a while ago.
I think it was caused because I opened like 4 sketches at the same time.
I don't think it affects anything though.

9

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