File Creation Date Oddity? Or Normal Behavior?

[Rick1441]

Something I discovered tonight...let me explain by example:

I have two files in folder AAA. One is named BBB, with a creation date of 1-1-14. One is named CCC, with a creation date of 8-1-14.

If I delete BBB, and then rename CCC to BBB, then that file's creation date changes from 8-1-14 to 1-1-14, even though the content stays the same as when it was actually created on 8-1-14.

Is this normal? If so, I’ve never noticed before. Also, if it’s normal, what do you think the rationale is, and does this differ from XP? For my purposes this is a useful -- if unexpected -- behavior (I won’t go into *why* I like it unless someone asks).

Thanks.

 

[cyanna]

Can't reproduce this on my computer. AFAIK rename operations will not change either creation date or modify date.

 

[Rick1441]

Can't reproduce this on my computer. AFAIK rename operations will not change either creation date or modify date.

Interesting.... Maybe my computer knows I *like* that behavior?

The kinds of filetypes I've tried this with so far are txt, pdf, internet shortcut and (IIRC) Word document. Did you try any of those?

 

[cyanna]

doc, txt and pdf. And I have also reviewed the technical specification. Rename operations don't change the dates. Moving the files does. You might want to try on another computer.

 

[Rick1441]

Yes, I'll have to try on another computer. I wonder if maybe one of my tweaking utilities, e.g., Classic Shell, Ultimate Win 7 Tweaker, or Attribute Changer is somehow causing this? Or maybe even the fact that I migrated my files to this pc via XXCOPY using a creation-date-preservation function? Also, since I actually like the behavior, my only concern is whether this might imply any current or potential system corruption of any significance. System File Checker doesn't show any corrupt files.

 

[andrew129260]

I do not know what happens there, as mine does not function that way either.

I will leave this here though, as it sort of relates:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/243272-last-access-timestamp-enable-disable-windows.html