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How do you copy file metadata (creation date, attributes) along with the file?

Ravi Vishwakarma 939 14 May 2025

How do you copy file metadata (creation date, attributes) along with the file?

c# file handling
Updated 25 May 2025
Ravi Vishwakarma
Ravi Vishwakarma

IT-Hardware & Networking

Ravi Vishwakarma is a dedicated Software Developer with a passion for crafting efficient and innovative solutions. With a keen eye for detail and years of experience, he excels in developing robust software systems that meet client needs. His expertise spans across multiple programming languages and technologies, making him a valuable asset in any software development project.

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1 Answers

Anubhav Sharma
Anubhav Sharma 25 May 2025
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To copy a file along with its metadata such as creation date, modification date, and file attributes, you need more than just a standard file copy. Most basic File.Copy or shutil.copy calls do not preserve everything by default.

Below are solutions for copying file content + metadata across different platforms.

C# (.NET)

Full Copy (including timestamps and attributes)

using System;
using System.IO;

public static void CopyFileWithMetadata(string sourcePath, string destinationPath)
{
    // Copy the file content and metadata
    File.Copy(sourcePath, destinationPath, overwrite: true);

    // Copy timestamps
    File.SetCreationTime(destinationPath, File.GetCreationTime(sourcePath));
    File.SetLastWriteTime(destinationPath, File.GetLastWriteTime(sourcePath));
    File.SetLastAccessTime(destinationPath, File.GetLastAccessTime(sourcePath));

    // Copy file attributes (e.g., ReadOnly, Hidden)
    File.SetAttributes(destinationPath, File.GetAttributes(sourcePath));
}
  • File.Copy() copies the file content.
  • File.Set*Time() replicates creation and modification timestamps.
  • File.SetAttributes() copies attributes like ReadOnly, Hidden, etc.

Python

Use shutil.copy2() to copy file + metadata

import shutil

def copy_file_with_metadata(src, dst):
    shutil.copy2(src, dst)
  1. copy2() copies the content and metadata (timestamps, mode).
  2. On most platforms, copy2 will preserve modification and access times. Creation time is preserved on Windows.
  3. Note: On Unix, creation time (ctime) often cannot be set or preserved directly, as it's managed by the file system.

Linux/macOS (Command Line)

Use cp -p or rsync

cp -p source.txt destination.txt

-p preserves mode, ownership, and timestamps.

Or use rsync:

rsync -a source.txt destination.txt

-a (archive mode) copies content with all metadata preserved.

Windows (Command Line)

Use robocopy to preserve metadata

robocopy sourceDir targetDir filename.txt /COPYALL

/COPYALL includes timestamps, ACLs, owner info, attributes.

Summary

Language Tool Metadata Preserved
C# Manual Set*Time + SetAttributes Creation, last modified, attributes
Python shutil.copy2 Most metadata (not all on Unix)
Bash cp -p, rsync -a Timestamps, mode
Windows robocopy /COPYALL All metadata (NTFS only)
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