How to Change File Creation, Modification, and Access Dates in Windows

Sometimes, you may need to alter the creation, modification, or last access dates of a file in Windows. This could be useful for organizing files, generating reports, or conducting tests. While Windows doesn’t provide built-in tools for directly modifying these attributes, several easy methods can help you achieve this.

Methods to Change File Creation, Modification, and Access Dates

1. Using PowerShell

PowerShell is a powerful tool for managing files and data. You can modify file dates by running a few simple commands:

Get-Item "Path\to\file" | % { $_.CreationTime = "date"; $_.LastWriteTime = "date"; $_.LastAccessTime = "date" }

Replace Path\to\file with the actual file path, and "date" with your desired date in the format MM/dd/yyyy HH:mm:ss. For example, "01/01/2024 10:30:00".

2. Using Third-Party Programs

If you prefer not to use the command line, several third-party programs can simplify this process. Some popular tools include:

• Attribute Changer: A user-friendly program that lets you change file attributes, including creation, modification, and access dates.
• BulkFileChanger by NirSoft: A free tool for changing dates and attributes for multiple files at once.

These programs provide a graphical interface, which can be more convenient for users unfamiliar with PowerShell.

3. Changing the Date Using Command Prompt (CMD)

The Command Prompt (CMD) also allows you to change file dates, though it only supports modifying the last modified date. You can use the copy command to create a copy of the file with a new date:

copy /b "Path\to\file" +,,

This command prompts Windows to update the file's last modified date to the current date and time.