Change File and Folder Attributes, Dates, and Times With Attribute Changer

Attribute Changer adds a Windows Explorer command for changing file and folder attributes, file-system dates, and (for JPEGs) photo dates stored in EXIF metadata. As of November 1, 2026, the developer lists version 11.50a, released September 24, 2026, for 64-bit Windows 10 and 11, including Windows 11 on ARM. Install the setup build for a right-click command, or use the portable build and drop items onto its window. The official download page lists both versions and says the software is free for personal and commercial use.

Change file or folder attributes and timestamps

1. Download the current build. Get Attribute Changer from the developer’s download page. Choose the setup version if you want Explorer integration; select the portable version if you prefer not to install the shell extension. Avoid old instructions that describe Windows 98, XP, Vista, or 32-bit systems: those are outside the current release’s listed support.
2. Select the items to edit. In File Explorer, choose one or more files or folders. Right-click the selection and choose Change attributes…. On Windows 11, if the command is missing from the compact menu, choose Show more options to open the classic context menu; Microsoft notes that older extensions may appear there. With the portable build, open Attribute Changer and drag the selected files or folders onto its window.
3. Choose only the fields you need. Use the attribute controls for flags such as Read-only or Hidden, and the date/time controls for Created, Modified, or Accessed timestamps. Depending on the task, you can enter a date, shift a value forward or backward, synchronize timestamps, or change only part of a date or time. Check whether folder and subfolder processing or filters are enabled before applying a change to a large selection. Hidden only removes an item from ordinary listings; it does not protect private data. Read-only is a file attribute, not encryption or a substitute for access permissions. Avoid changing System on operating-system files unless you know why it is needed.
4. For JPEG photo dates, use the photo controls. Select the Files Only option to enable photo-date changes. Attribute Changer reads JPEG EXIF date tags such as DateTimeOriginal, DateTimeDigitized, and DateTime; if a tag is missing, it can add a Date Taken value. The developer says a changed photo date is written to the matching EXIF tags that exist. This edits embedded photo metadata, which is separate from the file’s Created and Modified timestamps.
5. Preview, apply, and check the report. Use Simulation first and review the proposed old and new values. If the target list and changes are correct, run the operation and inspect the report for skipped items or failures. The report can be exported for a record. For a large batch, try a small representative selection first, then expand it after the result looks right.

Understand which date you are changing

Windows stores several kinds of time information. Created is when the file-system entry was created, Modified tracks content changes, and Accessed relates to reads or writes. A JPEG can also contain a separate camera or photo date in EXIF. In File Explorer’s Details view, the Date column may show a photo’s EXIF Date Taken value instead of its Modified timestamp, so that column alone may not confirm which value changed.

Timestamp display can vary by file system. Microsoft documents that NTFS stores file times in UTC and displays them using the computer’s local time zone; FAT stores times using local time. Filesystems also differ in timestamp precision and support. The developer warns that Accessed values may be updated again when Windows or NTFS accesses the file or lists a folder. If that value does not stay as entered, check the report and filesystem behavior before repeating the edit.

If “Change attributes” does not appear

On Windows 11, check Show more options first. If the command is still absent, confirm that the setup build installed the shell extension; the portable drag-and-drop route is a practical fallback. The developer’s support page says security software or an administrator policy can block shell extensions. Check with your administrator or consult the current support guidance before changing Windows security or registry settings.

If an item is skipped, inspect the report and review the app’s active filters. A filter based on a name, attribute, date, or file size can exclude an item even when it was selected. For full details about the current options, use the in-app help or the user guide linked from the developer’s site.

Official references

• Attribute Changer download and supported Windows versions
• Attribute Changer 11.50a changelog
• Attribute Changer support: portable mode, EXIF dates, and troubleshooting
• Microsoft Support: File Explorer context menus
• Microsoft Learn: file times and time zones and file attribute definitions