Quickly Change Windows File Creation Date with Easy Steps

Have you ever needed to quickly change the creation date of a file in Windows? Perhaps you need to backdate a document or simply want to organize your files in a specific order. Whatever the reason, manually changing the creation date can be a tedious and time-consuming task.

Luckily, there are easy steps that you can follow to quickly change the creation date of a file in Windows. With just a few clicks, you can update the creation date to any date and time you desire. You don’t have to worry about manually changing each file individually, as these steps will allow you to make bulk changes within seconds.

If you’re interested in learning how to quickly change Windows file creation date, then you’ve come to the right place. This article will provide you with step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish this task effortlessly. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced Windows user, these easy steps will save you time and effort in organizing your files.

So, what are you waiting for? Read on to discover how you can quickly change the creation date of your Windows files in just a few simple steps. Whether you’re looking to streamline your workflow or simply want to keep your files organized, this guide will show you how to do it all with ease!

“How Do I Change The File Creation Date Of A Windows File?” ~ bbaz

Introduction

Manipulating file creation dates isn’t an uncommon practice. Windows users might want to achieve this for various reasons, like to differentiate files added at different times or to edit files’ metadata. Unfortunately, the file creation date is hard to modify on Windows operating systems with regular options. But, do not worry! This article has you covered. We’ll be going over some quick and easy steps for window users to change file creation dates.

What Is a File Creation Date?

Before we continue, let’s get some facts straight. The file creation date is an essential piece of file metadata; it’s when your computer first saved the file. It’s different from both the modified date (when you last edited the file) and the accessed date (when it was last used). It helps classify and manage files based on their original creation time.

Why Change File Creation Dates?

Now, let’s discuss the reason(s) behind changing file creation dates. There are many scenarios when a user may want to perform this task:

• When multiple files created at the same time need differentiation.
• When saving files in large numbers – For sorting them based on the date and track when these files were created and added to the system.
• When editing older files – Helps track the most recent updates to specific files easily.
• For legal implications – Change the metatdata including date and time
• Other administrative purposes.

Built-in Tool to Change File Creation Dates

Windows comes equipped with a command prompt tool called ‘Forfiles.’ This tool accepts several parameters, one of which is setting the ‘CreationTime’ of a file. It is a versatile tool, as it ‘Forfiles’ not only allows modifying individual files but also has the option to apply changes to all files in a particular directory by running one command.

Step 1: Open Command Prompt

You can open Command Prompt by pressing Windows + R Key, typing cmd, and pressing Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the Folder

Before starting the command prompt, navigate to the folder path where you wish to change file creation time.

Step 3: Run Command Prompt

After navigating to the targeted path press Shift+ Right-click on the file explorer and select Open Command Window here.

Third-Party Software to Change File Creation Dates

If you find the command line too complicated for your liking, you might want to consider using third-party software. There are numerous software that offer this functionality, some even for free. Here are a few worth exploring:

Software Name	Pros	Cons
Bulk File Changer	Easily modify file attributes, has advanced filtering options	Some settings only available in the paid-for version
Advanced Renamer	Allows batch-renaming files and folders, a free version enough for most users	Interface not intuitive for some users
File Property Edit Free	Simple interface, changes file properties easily	Requires admin privilege to apply changes

Conclusion

Changing file creation dates can be a tricky process, but with Windows’ built-in ‘Forfiles’ feature or third-party software like Bulk File Changer, Advanced Renamer or File Property Edit Free, you can modify files creation dates to meet your specific needs with just a few easy steps. Regardless of the cause, changing the file creation date can be a useful trick to have in your toolbox, and this guide has provided you with everything you need to know to get started!

When it comes to file creation date, there may be times when you need to quickly change it. Here are some common questions people ask about this process:

1. How can I change the creation date of a file in Windows?

   You can change the creation date of a file in Windows by using the command prompt or PowerShell. Here are the steps:

   • Open the command prompt or PowerShell.
   • Type touch followed by the file path and the new creation date in the format YYYYMMDDHHMM.SS.
   • Press enter.

2. Is there an easier way to change the creation date of multiple files at once?

   Yes, there are several third-party tools that can make changing the creation date of multiple files at once much easier. Some popular options include BulkFileChanger and Attribute Changer.

3. Can changing the creation date of a file cause any issues?

   Changing the creation date of a file should not cause any issues as long as you do not change the date to a time in the future or before the file was actually created. Additionally, some programs may rely on the creation date of a file for specific functions, so changing it could potentially cause problems with those programs.