Creating or modifying any file on Windows consists of attributes that help others know when the file was created, opened, or modified. If you want to edit files without changing the modified dates, there is no direct way. However, you can note the modified time and change it once you are done editing the file. This post will share multiple methods and tools that help you edit files without changing the modified date in Windows 11/10.
Edit file without changing Modified Date in Windows 11/10
There are several ways to do it if you want to edit the file without changing the modified date. Here in this post, we will provide you with some of the best ways and tools. So read the post till the end.
- Change System Date & Modify
- WSL2 with Touch Command
- Powershell
- SKTimeStamp
- Attribute Changer
- BulkFileChanger
- NewFileTime
Let’s know more detail about these methods and tools. You may need admin permission to perform some of these methods.
1] Change System Date & Modify
While it’s not a full-proof method, changing the System Date might help you modify the file without changing the last modified date.
- Ensure the file is available on your PC
- Make a note of the modified date of the file
- Open the file, and disable auto-saving
- Disconnect the PC from the internet
- Make the change, but don’t save it
- Change the date to the exact time of the noted modified date
- Could you save the file and close it?
- Reconnect to the Internet, and sync back the time
The only drawback is you cannot change the exact time accurately up to the seconds. You might have it accurate to the time but not the seconds.
2] WSL 2 with Touch Command
Touch Command originates from Linux, which can modify a timestamp. It can change the modification and access time for any file. WSL 2 is available on Windows and supports Touch Command.
touch -m -t <timestamp>
- -m Changes the modification time
- -t Modifies a timestamp
- timestamp format should be in [[CC]YY]MMDDhhmm[.ss]
CC – the first two digits for a year, YY – the last two digits for a year, MM – the month, DD – the day, hh – the hour, mm – the minutes, and ss – the seconds
3] Powershell
If you want to edit files without changing the modified date, then it’s possible with the help of the LastWriteTime command on Windows PowerShell or Windows Terminal. Let’s understand the complete process.
(Get-Item "Pathtofileorfolder").LastWriteTime=("17 September 2022 11:49:15")
If you run the command without adding the timestamp, it will display the current modified date. Once you modify the file, you can use the same timestamp to update it.
4] SKTimeStamp
SKTIMEStamp is another helpful tool that adds a new tab to the windows explorer properties dialog. On that tab, you can easily edit files with dates and time stamps as per your need. Let’s understand how to edit files without changing the modified date on SKTimeStamp.
- First, download the SKTIMEStamp tool from its official website and install it on your PC.
- After the installation process, select the files you want to edit and go to the properties section. You see the newly added timestamps tab, where you can edit dates and times as needed.
- Keep the modified date unchanged, edit the created and accessed date along with the timespan, click on the Touch option, and again click the Apply button. Now check whether the date and time for the files have changed or not.
5] Attribute Changer
Attribute Changer is another excellent tool that helps users edit dates and timestamps. Follow the below-given steps to perform the whole process of editing files without changing the modified date.
- Download the Attribute Changer tool from the official website and install it on your PC.
- Now right-click the file you want to edit and click on the Change Attributes. This will open a new attribute changer window where you need to click on Modify date and time stamps option.
- It will allow you to edit the created, accessed file’s date and time. Set it as per your need and click on Apply option.
6] BulkFileChanger
BulkFileDChanger is another top-rated free tool that can edit files per your required created and accessed date and time. Let’s know how you can edit files with the help of this tool.
- Download BulkFileChanger on your PC from its official website and run it on your PC.
- After the installation process, the BulkFileChnager tool window will open. Now click on the File section at the top left corner and click on add files options from the dropdown.
- Now select the files you want to edit; it will automatically display the path of the selected files.
- Now left, click on the selected file path shown on the window and click on the change times/attribute option. You can also click on the clock icon in the toolbar.
- Now it will open a new window where you can edit created and accessed date along with the time without changing the modified date.
- After setting up the new date and time, click on the Do it option in the left side bottom corner of the window.
7] NewFileTime
NewFileTime can help you a lot to edit files without changing the modified date. This user-friendly tool comes with a drag and drops edit files feature and set-time Reset and Import options. Follow the below steps to understand how you can easily edit files without changing the modified date.
- Download the NewFileTime tool from its official website and run it on your PC.
- Open the NewFileTime tool on your PC and drag the required file to the Path. It will show the path of your file along with the Date Modified, Date Created, and Date Accessed data of that file in the set time section.
- Now edit your required data like the date created and data accessed along with time on the set time section for the edit file without changing the modified date.
- After setting up everything, click on the Set-Time option near the Reset section and check the file for the changes.
Read: How to change Date Created for files in Windows 11/10
This post has provided some of the best tools and free methods to edit files without changing modified data. Try any of these tools or methods to edit files successfully. If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to ask us in the comment section, we would love to answer those thanks.
Does copying a file change the date modified?
No. The created date changes when you copy a file but carries the original modified time. If you want to create the same file with a different modified time, you need to use the file editor and save it with a new name. Or you can edit the file and then save it to change the modified time.
How do I get a list of files in a directory and subfolders?
When using Windows Terminal or Command Prompt, you can use the DIR command with the /s option. There is also a /f option to view a tree structure. If you want to save the out into a file, then direct the output into a filename created on the fly.
