How to recover folders original creation date after copy ?

[Newb777]

Hello everyone ,

Before formating my parents laptop, I copied all their personal files on an external drive then transfered them back to the fresh Windows.
Problem is the folders now have the same timestamps ( the day of the transfer ), tough the files inside kept their original timestamps.

Is there a way to recover the original folder timestamps ?

Thanks in advance

 

[MourningStar]

quick question : were there any folders in those folders ? if so, were their timestamps maintained?

 

[Newb777]

All the folders timestamps are reseted, only files ones remains

 

[LMiller7]

I don't see any way to do this. Neither Windows nor the file system maintains any kind of history for date stamps. The dates displayed are the only ones stored.

 

[Newb777]

:huh: That's what i thought but I had to try on this forum. Thanks for the inputs, for people who are about to do the same mistake i discovered too late that there is different ways to preserve original timestamps BEFORE copying them.

Such as command prompt : How to Copy Files without Changing Date Stamp on Windows 10
Or using non-windows softwares

 

[MourningStar]

All the folders timestamps are reseted, only files ones remains

review, there were 2 questions. please reply to each one individually - thank you

edit : OOPS! - I see this topic has been marked as resolved. It is courteous to the membership to share how your issue was fixed.

 

[Newb777]

I got the 2 questions, even inside folders got their date reset. Thanks for help, i did share some ways to avoid the mistake but like LMiller7 said I don't think there's any way to really solve this

 

[Megahertz07]

Did you try to compact.zip the files and sub folders on the source and unzip them on the target?

 

[MourningStar]

... Thanks for help, i did share some ways to avoid the mistake but like LMiller7 said I don't think there's any way to really solve this

well, 'avoiding' the mistake is not 'resolving' the issue. I advise to change this back to 'not resolved' status. There is always the 'chance' someone will come along with the solution.

 

[Muted]

Hello everyone ,

Before formating my parents laptop, I copied all their personal files on an external drive then transfered them back to the fresh Windows.
Problem is the folders now have the same timestamps ( the day of the transfer ), tough the files inside kept their original timestamps.

Is there a way to recover the original folder timestamps ?

Thanks in advance

A 'folder' is a special type of 'file' under Windows. That is why it has all the same permissions under NTFS (timestamps included).
If you're trying to 'restore' the 'original' timestamp: I do not believe that is possible.

From the sounds of it: The folders were created as new files and the sub-directories maintained their previous timestamps.

The most you could do (AFAIK) right now is to find the oldest file's timestamp and edit the folder's timestamp data and assign it to that.

I am more curious as to why you want the folder's timestamp data changed (although it's none of my concern).

 

[Newb777]

The most you could do (AFAIK) right now is to find the oldest file's timestamp and edit the folder's timestamp data and assign it to that.

I am more curious as to why you want the folder's timestamp data changed (although it's none of my concern).

Thank you for this idea, given the amount of folders I better find a way to do this in a batch or i'm up for a fun afternoon lol. About the reason, the formating went well except a few details like this timestamp issue or some lost internet favorites. So i try to get more knowledge to be 100% ready when they decide to buy a new computer

 

[Muted]

Thank you for this idea, given the amount of folders I better find a way to do this in a batch or i'm up for a fun afternoon lol. About the reason, the formating went well except a few details like this timestamp issue or some lost internet favorites. So i try to get more knowledge to be 100% ready when they decide to buy a new computer

What you're trying to do is the epitome of what scripting was created for.

I'll pass on listing a wide variety of scripting languages, but I am pretty sure a batch file by itself won't suffice.

From what little I know: I'd suggest using PowerShell, since it ships with Windows Vista and above (convenience).
You should be able to search Google for: "batch file script to edit folder timestamp."

Good luck!

EDIT: You know what? After my last post, I suppose I'll try to steer you into AutoIt.

There's a single function call that will modify (both) file and folder timestamps.
You may have to learn a tiny bit about writing scripts (and download AutoIt), but: It sounds like it'd be faster than manually doing it yourself.

Function call: _Date_Time_SetFileTime

(TO MOD: I don't know if links are allowed, but): Function _Date_Time_SetFileTime

That's the URL to the online help file for invoking the function.

 

[Newb777]

wow thank you for all this informations, I never got into scripts because it's intimidating and I just didn't feel the need to use them. But like you said it's a good occasion to learn and i will definetly try it. Plus I'll find out wtf powershell really is except a blue command prompt lol.

AutoIt seems less user friendly ( the code into your link made me feel stupid ), I only know it by reputation because of the cheaters in video games bragging about automating their actions using this tool.

Anyway thank you again, you gave me something to work on my free time and I'll update this thread with my findings