Windows 10: Troubleshooting Folder Date Modified and Created After Move

Have you ever noticed that the "Date Modified" and "Date Created" of a folder change after you move it in Windows 10? This can be confusing, especially if you're trying to keep track of when you last worked on a project. In this article, we'll explain why this happens and show you how to troubleshoot the issue.

Why Does the Date Modified and Created Change After a Move?

When you move a folder in Windows 10, the operating system updates the "Date Modified" and "Date Created" timestamps to reflect the current date and time. This is because the folder's contents have been changed by the move operation. The "Date Modified" timestamp is updated to the current time, while the "Date Created" timestamp is updated to the time when the move operation was initiated.

This behavior is by design, but it can be confusing if you're not expecting it. In some cases, you may want to preserve the original timestamps of the folder. Fortunately, there are a few ways to do this.

How to Preserve the Original Timestamps

There are a few different ways to preserve the original timestamps of a folder when you move it in Windows 10. Here are three methods you can try:

Method 1: Use the "Copy" Command Instead of "Move"

Instead of using the "Move" command, you can use the "Copy" command to duplicate the folder in the new location. The original folder will remain in its original location, and the copy will have the same timestamps as the original.

To do this, right-click the folder you want to move and select "Copy" from the context menu. Then, navigate to the new location, right-click, and select "Paste". The copied folder will have the same timestamps as the original.

Method 2: Use the "Robocopy" Command

Robocopy is a command-line utility that allows you to copy files and folders while preserving their timestamps. To use Robocopy, open the Command Prompt and type the following command:

Replace with the path of the original folder, and with the path of the new location. The /DCOPY:T option tells Robocopy to preserve the timestamps of the original folder.

Method 3: Use a Third-Party Tool

There are several third-party tools available that can help you preserve the timestamps of a folder when you move it. One such tool is "Folder Time Update", which allows you to selectively update the timestamps of a folder or its contents.

How to Troubleshoot the Issue

If you're experiencing issues with the "Date Modified" and "Date Created" timestamps changing after a move, there are a few things you can try to troubleshoot the issue:

Check the File System

If you're moving a folder to a different partition or drive, make sure that the file system is compatible with Windows 10. For example, if you're moving a folder from an NTFS partition to a FAT32 partition, the timestamps may not be preserved.

Check the File Attributes

Make sure that the folder's attributes are not set to "read-only" or "hidden". If the attributes are set to "read-only", the "Date Modified" timestamp may not be updated when you move the folder. To check the attributes, right-click the folder, select "Properties", and look under the "Attributes" section.

Check the System Date and Time

Make sure that the system date and time are correct. If the date and time are incorrect, the "Date Modified" and "Date Created" timestamps may be incorrect.

In this article, we've explained why the "Date Modified" and "Date Created" timestamps change after you move a folder in Windows 10, and we've shown you how to preserve the original timestamps. We've also provided some tips on how to troubleshoot the issue if you're experiencing problems.

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