Configure OneDrive to stop changing the dates of my files. Darnitt !!!

Only the Operating system should change file information. Not some other App !

Hi @Labrash, Michael, 

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A forum.   

Thank you for contacting us, and I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused. I understand how important it is for you to keep accurate file timestamps to manage your work effectively. 

When OneDrive synchronizes files, it may update or recreate file metadata such as “Date Modified” or “Date Created.” This happens because the system treats uploaded or downloaded files as new objects.  

Given this situation, I’d like to share my recommendations, which I hope will be helpful to you:

1/ Compress files into a ZIP before uploading 

When you compress files into a ZIP archive, the original timestamps (Date Created, Date Modified) are stored inside the archive and remain unchanged. 

• Select the files → Right-click → Send to → Compressed (zipped) folder. 
• After uploading the ZIP to OneDrive, when you download and extract it later, the original timestamps will still be intact. 

2/ Use OneDrive’s version history feature 

Version History allows you to view and restore previous versions of a file stored in OneDrive, including the actual edit times. 

• In OneDrive Web: Right-click the file → Version History. 
• In OneDrive Desktop: Right-click the file in File Explorer → View online → then check Version History. 

Even if the system changes the “Date Modified” during sync, you can still confirm when the file was truly edited. 

As a forum moderator, I hope you understand that I don’t have the ability to modify or escalate product issues directly. However, I strongly recommend submitting your feedback through the Microsoft Feedback Portal. This is the most effective way to ensure your voice reaches the product team and can be considered for future improvements.  

Once you've submitted your feedback, feel free to share the link here in the comments. I’ll be happy to upvote it to help bring more visibility.  

Additionally, since many other users have expressed similar concerns but may not know where to submit feedback, if my response has helped you better understand the situation and guided you toward a possible next step, please mark it as the “Accepted Answer.” Your action will help pin this post to the top, making it easier for others in the community who are experiencing the same issue to find your feedback and support it.  

Thank you again for your time and for raising this important usability concern.