Resolved Want to change change file dates shown in Win Explorer based on exif data

I have many photo files (jpg), whose "modified" and/or "created" dates that are shown in Windows Explorer have been unwantedly changed by Windows from the correct original date and time the pictures were taken to the date the pictures were edited (i.e., when their resolution or size was changed) in programs such as IrfanView. The exif data inside each jpg shows the correct date and time. How can I make the date and time shown in Windows Explorer agree with the original, correct exif data?

I've tried downloading a few freeware "exif editors" but I've found that (a) they're very hard to understand, (b) have atrocious "help" files, and (c) as far as I could see they don't enable you to change the Windows Explorer data (at least not that I could figure out), only the internal exif data, which I obviously do not want to do.

Is there a simple (to understand) freeware or Windows XP technique that will do this kind of job? Thank you for any help.

Frank D

 

Hi Frank,

I haven't used it but Attribute Changer claims to do what you want and more.

Please let us know how you get on.

 

Wildfire, thanks but I'm not getting on too well.

I downloaded and installed it and I read the Help instructions. From the description and looks of the program, it should do the job.

However, even though I select all the right whistles and bells -- I can't get it to change the date or time of a small selected jpg file, which is not protected in any way. I can't get the program to change the date shown in Windows Explorer (it shows there as 1/3/2008 but the internal exif data shows the real date as 11/14/2005). I feel so stupid! I must be missing something, but I can't figure out what.

Frank

 

Right click on image,
select Change Atrributes...
Tick Modify date and time stamps
And change the date/times as required?

I've just tested it (on my bairns ultrasound scans BTW) and it worked perfect.

Make sure your pictures aren't write protected (you can unset that to in attribute changer).

 

Have done the following:
Right-click on the image
Select Change Attributes...
Checked Modify date and time stamps.
So far so good.

But, here is my problem: in order to find out the real date+time of the selected image, you have to click on the Picture tab (at the right of the File System tab). There are six variables shown here: month, day, year, hour, minutes, seconds. In order for me to put all this information into the proper places on the File System tab, I would have to make six separate selections on the Picture tab, or memorize them, switching from tab to tab between selections. Six selections for just one picture! That's just not doable in practice, since I have a few hundred pictures worth of data to change.

I keep thinking of how IrfanView changed the picture date automatically (and without asking my permission or notice at the time) in one shot. Isn't there an easy, automatic way to return the date and time back to the internal exif data?

 

Pretty sure this came with a help file

 

Wildfire, I've read the Help file word for word and am applying it exactly. But nothing happens. After having applied those instructions, I expect the exif date+time to show up as the date+time in Windows Explorer, but it doesn't happen. I've tried it repeatedly with all the attributes, System, Created, and Modified, but absolutely nothing changes. I've tried it on two jpgs with identical (non)results. I'm stymied.

Frank

 

Hi Frank,

I'll have a closer look at this but I'd need a jpeg with exif data as an example. If you can email me a non personal photo to wildfire as an example I'll happily take a look for you.

 

Thanks Frank,

Email received but I'm kinda busy tonight (family visiting) but I'll post back tomorrow with findings.

 

Are you using the Detail view in Explorer?
Then select "“ Choose Details - Date Modified is probably checked "“ but if you scroll down you need to also check: Date Picture Taken.

In the Thumbnail view don’t need to do that.
Date Picture Taken and other info will be displayed when cursor over the image.

 

Thanks, ephemarial, good suggestion. I've tried it, but surprisingly even though the header shows up in Details view, the Date Picture Taken column is blank! I have no idea why, since the date the pictures were taken is obviously there in the exif data. I guess that somehow in my changing picture resolution or size, that data has become inaccessible to the Windows OS. Anyway, it's all past history and there's no other source of that information, and so far I haven't been able to get that data to show up in Windows Explorer so that the pictures can be sorted by date taken.

Frank

PS: I forgot to mention that on my machine mousing over the pictures in question does not show any data whatsoever. Even if it did, however, pictures can't be sorted in thumbnail view.

 

Frank With Attribute changer all you need to do is tick "Modify Date and Time Stamps" then right click on the date/time you wish to change and select "As Picture Date Time ".

I tried it on those three cute images you sent me without problem though I don't think you can do batch updates.

Hope that's enough for you.

 

Wildfire, I followed your latest instructions and saw where I went astray: I hadn't thought of right-clicking on the date/time to be changed. However, even though I changed it in many tries, the file date/time of the selected jpg shown in Windows Explorer would not change, no matter which of the options I selected. Now of course I still could be misinterpreting the program's (and your) instructions, which causes it to fail. However my feeling is that a program should just work without forcing a user to interpret the program's instructions and Help file. Accordingly, I figured that this program is not a keeper. Therefore, I went on an extended Google expedition and finally found a free program that works perfectly the first time! It can be found here:

http://no-nonsense-software.com/freeware/
SetFileDate 2.0
"Utility to alter the time and date of one or more selected files or folders. There are several such utilities available, but we've found most of them to be too large, too complex or too expensive. SetFileDate is small, easy to use, and completely free. New in version 2.0: Change the time stamp of both files and folders. Screenshot (http://no-nonsense-software.com/freeware/grabs/setfiledate_grab.gif) - Download (http://no-nonsense-software.com/cgi-bin/redirect/cgirdir.exe?setfiledate) (551 KB) "

So, I think now that I'm all set. Even though none of the programs I could find would read and automatically set the exif date/time to appear in the Windows Explorer window, at least this one works in a straightforward manner.

Thank you for your help and for looking into this on the Easter holiday weekend!

Frank

 

Strange? It worked fine here though I agree the program isn't as user friendly as it could be. I did find that it wouldn't change the date in the Exif Data even though it appeared to.

Anyway, glad you've found something more suitable. I'll take a look at the EXIF format and see if I can throw something together for you over the next couple of days (no promises).

In the meantime you may consider marking this thread as resolved...

 

Wildfire, more info for those who want to do what I want (stated at top) and to do it on batches of files.
After much searching, I found a free program called exiftool (unfortunately command line only) and, fortunately, a GUI for it called exiftool GUI. Here's where it can be found:

http://freeweb.siol.net/hrastni3/foto/exif/exiftoolgui.htm

It's a little techie to set up, and a mite kludgy, but if can be done by the likes of me it can't be all that bad.
I've been using it for the past hour or so and have corrected the "Modified Date" (which is all that is displayed in Windows Explorer and is all I need) in about 50-75 jpg files in Windows Explorer. So I'm well on the way to correcting the sorting data for my whole collection, which I didn't realize until now was so messed up datewise.
By the way, it wasn't IrfanView that messed up the "Modied Date" in Windows Explorer, but Picasa. Unknown to me while I was working with it, as you crop or otherwise modify a jpg in Picasa, the "Modified Date" for the file (surprise!) gets updated to the current date+time. This could be days, months, or years after the actual date the picture was taken, which totally messes up one's ability to sort files by the date they were taken. I don't remember seeing any notice or disclaimer in Picasa warning of this happening, or its consequences. But then of course I wasn't looking for it.

Hope this helps others!

Frank