Copy/Paste with File Time Intact

February 2, 2008 1:21 PM

How do I copy a large number of files in Windows XP without changing the date created/modified?

I'm embarrassed to ask this because I'm sure the answer is something as simple as "hold down F3" or xcopy /m but I can't seem to figure this out or find an answer online that's not selling something.

I'm trying to make a backup of my mp3 archives, and I'd like to keep all file data intact on the new hard drive so my Winamp media library won't get confused. I've used the clone function in Acronis TrueImage for this before , but I get freakishly anxious about accidentally reversing the drive letters and would rather do it in explorer or a command line. Can't be so difficult, can it?

Thank you.

posted by muckster to computers & internet (6 comments total)

If you are worried about the "last played" metadata, I think that is seperate from the file properties and would be unaffected by moving the files. Try it and see, though.
posted by lohmannn at 1:37 PM on February 2

Robocopy will probably satisfy your command-line urges, and it will accurately copy all time information (as well as alternate data streams and other potential esoterica). It comes with the "Windows Resource Kit" and I believe is distributed with Vista.

It's not quite command-line, but WinRAR has the ability to store (and restore) created, accessed and modified times, alternate data streams, etc. It's slightly easier to figure out than robocopy, IMO.
posted by QuantumMeruit at 1:40 PM on February 2

muckster - What happens when you just right-click Copy and Paste the mp3s in Windows Explorer? On my XP system the Created date is today, but that's not the default date that Explorer displays. The Date Modified -- the date that most software seems to care about -- remains unchanged (2004 or whatever).
posted by Dave 9 at 3:10 PM on February 2

Robocopy does preserve file creation times, but as far as I can tell from a quick look at my Robocopy-made backup drive, not folder creation times.
posted by flabdablet at 7:01 PM on February 2

Install XXCopy. Copy on the command line using the /TCC option.
posted by meehawl at 7:31 PM on February 2

So I tried copy/pasting the entire thing (took all night), and it looks like Winamp can't tell the difference. Thanks everybody!
posted by muckster at 11:51 AM on February 3