When a file is copied on NTFS the Modified Date is also copied?

Question

I need to know if I can trust the Modified Date attribute of a file, there is any way to make a file seem older than it truly is?

score 9 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 06 '09 at 21:26

9

No, you cannot trust any of the date/time stamps on a file. It is relatively straightforward to change the timestamps

answered Jul 06 '09 at 21:26

Izzy

I've deliberately changed the last-modified date on files to keep certain people happy. You definately cannot trust it, at all. – Mark Henderson Jul 06 '09 at 21:33

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 06 '09 at 21:27

2

You can't trust it - there are tools (such as 'touch') which allow you to set such file metadata.

answered Jul 06 '09 at 21:27

Moo

touch(1) being a standard command in all Unix/Linux/BSD distributions that I have seen. – user1686 Jul 07 '09 at 07:57

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jul 06 '09 at 22:06

0

You can use robocopy command line which copies the modify date from the original file. Also there are a GUI tool for robocopy.

answered Jul 06 '09 at 22:06

FerranB

Also only vista supplied robocopy preserves folder dates. – Sergei Jul 07 '09 at 07:35

3 Answers3