How to preserve date modified when saving to external hard drive?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the preservation of the "date modified" attribute when transferring files between different file systems, specifically from NTFS to FAT32 and back to NTFS. Users noted that while the "date modified" for files is retained during these transfers, the same cannot be said for folders, leading to organizational challenges. The conversation highlights that the "date created" attribute remains intact across different formats, providing an alternative sorting method. Additionally, participants suggest manually including the "date modified" in file titles as a workaround.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of NTFS and FAT32 file systems
  • Knowledge of file attributes and metadata management
  • Familiarity with file transfer methods and tools
  • Basic organizational strategies for file management
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  • Research methods to preserve file attributes during transfers, focusing on tools like Robocopy
  • Explore file management software that retains metadata across different file systems
  • Learn about scripting solutions to automate file organization and attribute preservation
  • Investigate the implications of file system formatting on data integrity and metadata
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for IT professionals, data managers, and anyone involved in file organization and transfer processes, particularly those working with different file systems like NTFS and FAT32.

Simfish
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So I use "date modified" as a sort of organizational tool - and would like to keep that. When my NTFS hard drive transfers files to a FAT32 hard drive, date modified attribute of folders is kept. However, I reformatted the FAT32 hard drive into another NTFS hard drive - and the date modified for all folders is lost. Interestingly enough, the "date modified" aspect for files is kept - but since I organize my files according to folders - this presents somewhat of a problem. Does anyone know more about the "date modified" attribute?
 
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Date modified is supposed to change. I would be surprised if it doesn't.

But there is an option to sort by date created. That date is preserved even when you copy or move files across drives of different formats.

In addition, you can always put the date modified into the title. This will be a bit cumbersome, but if the system doesn't allow you, you'll have to find your own ways.
 

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