Saving file/folder attribites after a clean install. | Linus Tech Tips | Page 1

north elk Jul 12, 2023, 8:27 AM

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I will be performing a full Windows 10 re-install on my PC at work due to hardware upgrade and change from 32 to 64 bit.
The thing it, I don't have a new drive (SSD is the newest part, only 2 years old) and will have to format it and then move back everything. By everything I mean more than 15 years of files, 141 Gb, 120k of files and 9k of folders.

I need to move files to a spare HDD, install a W10 or W11 (haven't decided yet) and move them back, preserving "Date created", "Date Modified", and "Date Accessed" tags.
If there is a way to clone disk to preserve system configs, Chrome extensions and their data, bookmarks, etc., it will be a huge plus.

fossil pilot Jul 12, 2023, 9:34 AM

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Im pretty sure file atributes save when transfering files

north elk Jul 12, 2023, 3:56 PM

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fossil pilot Im pretty sure file atributes save when transfering files

Copied folder counts as modified folder. And "Date Accessed" of files will be affected too.

glossy anchor Jul 12, 2023, 4:53 PM

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I haven't ever heard of a way of doing this

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Cloning may work, but that comes with all its own risks

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I think your best bet is to get a second SSD (they're very cheap right now) and install your new windows onto that, keeping your old drive as a backup/source of truth

fossil pilot Jul 12, 2023, 6:07 PM

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north elk Copied folder counts as modified folder. And "Date Accessed" of files will be af...

What if you move instead of copying?

#Saving file/folder attribites after a clean install.