Usually, it is the Windows operating system which determines the modified, accessed or created dates of a file. There is no way in Windows to manually manipulate these dates if you want. This can be a problem if you want to adjust these dates. One reason I personally modify these dates is when I upload a new software to my website – I want to make the modified dates and times of all the files to be same. Although you cannot do it using any in-built Windows utility, but there is a free program called SKTimeStamp which lets you modify these dates and times as you like.
SKTimeStamp is a freeware program developed by Stefen Kueng. You can download it from his website. The download is available in form of an MSI (Microsoft Installer) package. You can use this downloaded MSI file to install SKTimeStamp on your Windows system. This adds a new tab to the Windows Explorer’s file Property dialog. In this tab you can set and alter last modified, last accessed or created dates of a file.
Altering the dates and times is pretty easy. To modify a date type, place a checkmark in the respective checkbox and then select a date and time. Then click on the Touch button to set the dates. Only the dates for which you have selected the checkbox would be changed. If the checkbox for a date type is disabled, the you cannot alter that date or time.
If you want to change the timestamps (dates and times) of a group of files simultaneously, then just select them all, right-click on one of them and select Property. Then continue as usual. The desired timestamps of all the selected files would be changed at the same time. This also works for a folder’s timestamps.
SKTimeStamp is an indispensable add-on for Windows Explorer. It is available for free for both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows editions. You can use it Windows XP, Vista and 7. You can download SKTimeStamp from http://tools.tortoisesvn.net/SKTimeStamp.html.