How to view and change the creation and modification date of a file in Windows 11

Have you ever found yourself searching through your computer and wondering when you created or last modified that file important? With the advancement of Windows 11, the options to check and modify these key dates are still readily available, although it can sometimes be unintuitive to access them or take advantage of all the system's features. Furthermore, many people need to change these dates for work, organizational, or simply personal management reasons.

In this article, you'll find everything you need to know to view and change the creation, modification, and access date of a file in Windows 11. We'll cover a variety of ways, from the simplest native options to specialized utilities and commands Advanced. This way, you'll have all the tools to manage the metadata of your files, whether they're documents, images, videos, or any other type.

Why is it important to know or modify the dates of the files?

File creation, modification, and last access dates in Windows 11 are not just technical details, but authentic historical records. that help us organize our information, maintain versions, and even comply with legal or labor requirements. By knowing this data, you can:

• Control the order and seniority of your documents and folders.
• Track when changes have been made in shared projects.
• Backup information according to their temporal relevance.
• Identify suspicious files or recent manipulations.

However, changing these dates is not as straightforward as changing a file name.Windows 11 protects metadata to prevent accidental alteration, but there are safe and legal methods you can use if you really need to.

How to see the creation and modification date of a file in Windows 11

Checking key dates for a file is really easy in Windows 11.File Explorer itself provides all the information you need without having to install anything extra. Follow these steps:

• Open the File Browser and navigate to the file or folder whose information you want to know.
• Take the Right click on the file and select Properties.
• In the window that appears, within the tab General admission, you will find the creation, modification and last access dates on the bottom.

These dates are automatically updated based on file activity.: when you create, edit, or simply open it for viewing.

Visually, you can also view these dates directly in the Explorer columns. If they're not readily visible, right-click the top row of the window (where the column names, such as Name, Type, etc., are located), choose Plus… and select Creation date n, Modification date o access date to add them.

Can these dates be changed from Windows 11?

By default, Windows 11 does not allow you to change the creation or last modification dates without the help of third-party applications.These restrictions are due to the fact that file metadata is essential to the integrity and security of the operating system. However, there are completely legal and safe methods to modify these dates when necessary.

Methods to change the creation and modification date of a file in Windows 11

There are several options to make this change, adapted for both basic and advanced users.:

1. Use external programs: Attribute Changer

Nowadays, one of the easiest and safest ways to modify the dates of your files is through specialized utilities.. Attribute Changer is one of the most popular, free, and hassle-free.

Step by step to use Attribute Changer:

• Download Attribute Changer from the official website (petges.lu) and choose between the installable or portable version.
• During installation, accept the license and make sure activate the option to add it to the context menu of Windows. This way, you'll have it accessible by right-clicking.
• Once installed, open the File Browser and do right click on the file or folder that you want to modify
• In Windows 11, you may need to select first Show more options to see the classic menu.
• Click on Change attributeThe Attribute Changer window will open.
• Check the box Modify date and timeHere you can modify, either independently or jointly, the creation, modification, or last access dates, using the calendar or by entering the date and time manually.
• When you're done, click AcceptThe program will apply the changes, and when you view the file properties again, you'll see the new dates reflected.

This method is ideal for users who prefer the convenience of a graphical interface. and want to apply changes quickly and visually, without resorting to complex commands.

2. Using PowerShell: For more advanced users

If you're comfortable with the command line, PowerShell is the built-in Windows tool that lets you modify file metadata. without the need to install anything external, although it does require some precision and basic knowledge.

Running PowerShell:

• Press Win + X and choose Bus Terminal Windows (PowerShell) or simply search for PowerShell in the start menu.
• To change the creation date, use the following command (replacing the path with the path of your file):

$(Get-Item 'C:\path\to\file.txt').CreationTime = 'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS'

• To modify the last modified date use:

$(Get-Item 'C:\path\to\file.txt').LastWriteTime = 'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS'

• And for the last access:

$(Get-Item 'C:\path\to\file.txt').LastAccessTime = 'YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS'

Please note that it is important to respect the date and time format. and that changes are only applied if you have permissions to the file. You can also consult tutorials and Tricks of PowerShell in our article on How to change the date of a file in Windows.

3. Other applications to modify dates in files

There are more utilities besides Attribute Changer, such as Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate, which allows you to edit the metadata of multimedia files with just a few clicks. These applications are typically geared toward photo and video editing, so they're useful if you frequently work with these types of files.

In general, they work very similarly: you select the file, access the metadata options, and decide which date to change and which to assign. These types of programs typically have free and paid versions, depending on the level of detail and the available options.

What information does file metadata provide in Windows 11?

The metadata stored in a file is much more than just creation and modification dates. They also include:

• Author
• Owners
• File type and extension
• Size
• Access permits
• In multimedia files: camera information, location, resolution, etc.

In the case of photographs, for example, you can even find the original capture date, camera settings, and other details embedded by the original device.

Limitations and warnings when modifying file dates

Although changing these dates is technically feasible, it's worth remembering a few things:

• Date modification can be tracked in some scenarios, especially if there is version control or backup systems.
• Some system or protected files require administrator permissions or do not allow alterations..
• You should never alter dates for fraudulent purposes., as it may be illegal in certain contexts.
• Always make backup copies before making any mass changes to your files’ metadata.

Comparison of methods: which one to choose?

The choice of one method or another will depend on your technical level and specific needs:

Method	Difficulty	Advantages	Disadvantages
File Browser	Low	View information quickly, without extra installations	It does not allow modifying dates
Attribute Change	Low	Intuitive interface, multiple files, free	Requires installation
PowerShell	High average	Does not require external programs, ideal for automating tasks	Higher risk of errors, learning curve
Aiseesoft Video Converter Ultimate	Low-Medium	Perfect for multimedia files, easy editing	Limited to certain file types, possible restrictions in free version

Other practical uses of date management in files

Manipulating file dates goes beyond simple organization.. It can be useful for:

• Synchronize work between different teams maintaining a coherent timeline
• Prepare presentations or archive documents with custom chronological order
• Correct discrepancies in files transferred from other OS or devices
• Manage media libraries while maintaining the original capture, editing, or publishing date

Advanced metadata management and removal

In addition to viewing and changing dates, sometimes you might want to clean up metadata to protect your privacy or reduce information sharing.Windows 11 allows you to remove sensitive metadata such as author, GPS location, etc., especially in image and video files.

• Take the right click in the file, select Properties and go to the tab Details.
• Balance Remove properties and personal information and choose between deleting all or just some fields.

Remember that deleting metadata is irreversible., so be sure to keep an original copy if you need to preserve the information in any way.

You've seen how Windows 11 offers various ways to view and modify the dates of your files, using native options, specialized programs, or PowerShell scripts. Choosing the best option will depend on your needs, knowledge, and the type of files you manage. Now you have all the information you need to manage your documents effectively, protecting your privacy and ensuring data integrity.