Best Free File Date Changer Tools for Batch Timestamp EditingChanging file timestamps—created, modified, and accessed dates—can be essential for organizing archives, correcting camera clock errors, synchronizing backups, or preparing datasets for testing. This guide reviews the best free tools for batch timestamp editing, explains common use cases, covers safety and legal considerations, and gives practical step-by-step examples so you can pick the right tool and use it confidently.
Why change file dates?
People and organizations change file timestamps for several legitimate reasons:
- Correcting incorrect camera or device clocks after travel or incorrect time zone settings.
- Standardizing timestamps across files when consolidating photo libraries or document archives.
- Preparing test datasets for software development where specific timestamp ranges are needed.
- Maintaining consistent metadata when migrating files between systems or restoring from backups.
Always ensure you have the legal right to modify files and that doing so won’t violate policies, contracts, or forensic requirements.
What to look for in a file date changer
When choosing a free tool, consider:
- Batch processing: ability to edit many files at once.
- Granularity: changing creation, modification, and access times independently.
- Date arithmetic: add/subtract time (e.g., shift all timestamps by +3 hours).
- Presets and rules: apply changes based on filename, folder, or EXIF metadata.
- Preview and undo options: ability to preview changes and revert if needed.
- Platform support: Windows, macOS, Linux, or cross-platform.
- Safety: does it preserve other metadata and file contents?
Top Free Tools for Batch Timestamp Editing
Below are well-regarded, free options across platforms, with brief pros/cons and typical use cases.
| Tool | Platform | Key Features | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BulkFileChanger | Windows | Batch edit Created/Modified/Accessed; command-line support; CSV import/export | Simple UI, portable, supports large batches | Windows-only, limited EXIF integration |
| Attribute Changer | Windows (Explorer extension) | Shell integration, batch timestamp & attributes editing, advanced rules | Convenient right-click access, many options | Windows-only, can be overwhelming |
| ExifTool | Cross-platform (Windows/macOS/Linux) | Full metadata editing including EXIF/NTFS timestamps, scripting-friendly | Extremely powerful, scriptable, handles camera metadata | Command-line learning curve |
| pyExifToolGUI / GUIs for ExifTool | Windows/macOS/Linux | Graphical front-end to ExifTool for easier use | Easier than raw ExifTool, retains power | GUI quality varies, depends on ExifTool |
| SetFile/Touch (built-in) | macOS / Linux | touch (POSIX) and SetFile change timestamps via terminal | Built-in, scriptable, low overhead | Limited to command-line, less suited for complex rules |
| NewFileTime | Windows | GUI for batch editing timestamps, simple interface | Easy to use, portable | Windows-only, development status varies |
Tool details and example workflows
BulkFileChanger (Windows)
- What it is: Lightweight utility by NirSoft that lists files and allows manual or scripted timestamp edits.
- Best for: Quick GUI-based batch editing on Windows without installation.
- Common workflow:
- Open BulkFileChanger and add files/folders (drag & drop supported).
- Select files and choose “Change Time / Attributes”.
- Set Created/Modified/Accessed fields, apply offsets (add/subtract), and click OK.
- Export the file list to CSV for record-keeping or scripting.
Example: Shift all photos forward by 4 hours — use the “Change Time / Attributes” dialog and add +4:00:00 to the Modified/Created fields.
Attribute Changer (Windows Explorer extension)
- What it is: Shell extension that integrates into Windows Explorer right-click menu.
- Best for: Users who want one-click access from the file manager with advanced rule-based options.
- Common workflow:
- Right-click selected files/folders → Attribute Changer.
- Use the Date/Time tab to set absolute dates or apply time shifts.
- Use filters (by name, size, attributes) to limit scope.
- Preview and apply.
Tip: Use filename filters to only adjust files with camera file prefixes (e.g., IMG_*.JPG).
ExifTool (Cross-platform, command-line)
- What it is: A powerful metadata editor that can read/write EXIF, IPTC, XMP, and filesystem timestamps.
- Best for: Advanced users needing precise, scriptable control, including using EXIF timestamps to set file system times.
- Example commands:
- Set file Modified time from EXIF DateTimeOriginal:
exiftool "-FileModifyDate<DateTimeOriginal" *.jpg - Shift timestamps forward 2 hours:
exiftool -AllDates+=2:0:0 -overwrite_original *.jpg
- Set file Modified time from EXIF DateTimeOriginal:
- Notes: Use -overwrite_original to replace files in place, and test on copies first.
pyExifToolGUI and other GUIs
- What it is: Graphical interfaces that wrap ExifTool functionality for users who prefer not to use the command line.
- Best for: Photographers who want ExifTool power with a visual interface.
- Workflow: Load folder → select files → apply “Set File Time from EXIF” or use batch time-shift controls.
touch (macOS/Linux) and SetFile (macOS)
- What it is: Built-in command-line utilities for changing file times. On macOS, SetFile (from Xcode command-line tools) can set creation date; touch sets modification/access times.
- Best for: Scripting on Unix-like systems.
- Example:
- Set modification time:
touch -t 202508011200.00 photo.jpg - Set creation time on macOS (SetFile):
SetFile -d "08/01/2025 12:00:00" photo.jpg
- Set modification time:
Practical examples
- Sync timestamps to EXIF DateTimeOriginal (camera time)
- ExifTool (recommended):
exiftool "-FileModifyDate<DateTimeOriginal" -r /path/to/photos
- ExifTool (recommended):
- Shift entire folder by time zone difference (e.g., +3 hours)
- ExifTool:
exiftool -AllDates+=3:0:0 -overwrite_original -r /path/to/photos
- ExifTool:
- Batch set a group of documents to the same modification date
- BulkFileChanger / NewFileTime: select files → set modified date → apply.
- Use a filename-based rule (only files matching IMG_*.JPG)
- Attribute Changer: set filename filter IMG_*.JPG then apply date changes.
Safety, backups, and best practices
- Always work on copies when performing bulk changes for the first time. Keep an original backup.
- Use the preview feature where available and test on a small subset.
- Preserve metadata you need (EXIF, creation date) by understanding whether a tool writes filesystem timestamps or alters embedded metadata.
- For forensic or legal contexts, altering timestamps can invalidate chain-of-custody; consult legal/forensic guidance first.
Legal and ethical considerations
- Changing timestamps to misrepresent file origins, tamper with evidence, or commit fraud is illegal or unethical. Use timestamp editing only for legitimate purposes such as corrections, organization, or testing.
- When sharing files, disclose edits if they affect provenance or other important metadata.
Quick recommendation by use case
- Photographers who need EXIF-aware edits: ExifTool (or a GUI wrapper).
- Windows users wanting a simple GUI: BulkFileChanger or NewFileTime.
- Frequent Explorer-based edits with rules: Attribute Changer.
- macOS/Linux scripting and automation: built-in touch / SetFile or ExifTool for EXIF-based operations.
Closing note
Pick the tool that matches your comfort level (GUI vs command line) and required features (EXIF support, batch rules, preview/undo). For most photo-related batch tasks, ExifTool (with or without a GUI) offers the most reliable and flexible solution; for straightforward Windows-only tasks, BulkFileChanger or Attribute Changer are fast and easy.
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