Making backup copies of computer files

[louis2008]

I find that by making copies with copy and paste, the new copy will have its creation date updated to the current time, while modification date is preserved. Is it possible to keep the creation date (and other dates if I am not aware of) preserved as well?

 

[rootabaga]

You might try xcopy or robocopy, those are more powerful (command line) utilities with lots of features accessed through switches.

Good luck.

 

[Hadron]

If you are using something with a *nix command line (MacOS, Linux) then it's easy: "cp -a" will preserve the creation date.

Windows isn't my thing, but I'll bet that a dedicated backup utility (as opposed to a simple copy) would do this. But if you are just doing a few files I'd check out the utilities named above.

 

[lunatic59]

If you want a little "set-it-and-forget-it" utility I find syncfolders handy for keeping my working folders sync'ed to my NAS.

 

[louis2008]

If you want a little "set-it-and-forget-it" utility I find syncfolders handy for keeping my working folders sync'ed to my NAS.

for windows 10 as well?

 

[louis2008]

If you are using something with a *nix command line (MacOS, Linux) then it's easy: "cp -a" will preserve the creation date.

Windows isn't my thing, but I'll bet that a dedicated backup utility (as opposed to a simple copy) would do this. But if you are just doing a few files I'd check out the utilities named above.

I'd like to make it a habit, rather than just a few files. Keeping original creation dates (and other dates) is important for my work and reference

 

[louis2008]

You might try xcopy or robocopy, those are more powerful (command line) utilities with lots of features accessed through switches.

Good luck.

Is batch copy possible or only one file at a time?

 

[rootabaga]

Is batch copy possible or only one file at a time?

That's where they shine. *.* works great, and you can replicate directory structures, etc Smaller places create batch files and use that in place of expensive commercial software. Robocopy also allows you to modify permissions and you can generate log outputs to verify what copied. I last used it when I built a new fileserver and had to move all of the data from the old one in organized chunks.

Google robocopy, it's newer and more powerful and you'll get some idea of its versatility.

 

[louis2008]

That's where they shine. *.* works great, and you can replicate directory structures, etc Smaller places create batch files and use that in place of expensive commercial software. Robocopy also allows you to modify permissions and you can generate log outputs to verify what copied. I last used it when I built a new fileserver and had to move all of the data from the old one in organized chunks.

Google robocopy, it's newer and more powerful and you'll get some idea of its versatility.

sorry I'd like to make sure if it really won't alter the creation date for the copy?

That's where they shine. *.* works great, and you can replicate directory structures, etc Smaller places create batch files and use that in place of expensive commercial software. Robocopy also allows you to modify permissions and you can generate log outputs to verify what copied. I last used it when I built a new fileserver and had to move all of the data from the old one in organized chunks.

Google robocopy, it's newer and more powerful and you'll get some idea of its versatility.

OK, and one last question, will there be any other dates changed by using robocopy, thnaks?

 

[lunatic59]

for windows 10 as well?

Yep. I use it regularly on 10 and 11.

 

[louis2008]

Yep. I use it regularly on 10 and 11.

Will it update the creation date for the copied file? This is not what I want. I don't need NAS. My primary concern is to keep the creation date for copied files. Thanks.

 

[louis2008]

If you want a little "set-it-and-forget-it" utility I find syncfolders handy for keeping my working folders sync'ed to my NAS.

Does it work if I don't have NAS ? Just making copy and paste. I only want to keep the original creation dates for the copy

 

[lunatic59]

Yes, it's just a simple copy utility. Copy anywhere you like. It's free to try so see if it does what you need it to do.