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how to remove UTC date and time stamps

Dan 20 Reputation points
2026-04-02T17:35:06.8266667+00:00

After copying files from a Windows 10 pc to a Windows 11 pc ALL files have the UTC stamp in the file name. How can I rename them by removing the UTC stamp?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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AI answer

2026-04-02T17:35:15.5666667+00:00

Use PowerToys PowerRename to batch-remove the UTC part from all file names.

  1. Install and open PowerToys, then enable PowerRename.
  2. In File Explorer on Windows 11, select the affected files, right‑click, and choose PowerRename.
  3. In Search for, enter the UTC pattern that appears in the names. For example, if names look like:
    • report_2024-03-01T10-30-00Z.txt use a search pattern such as:
    • 2024-03-01T10-30-00Z (literal) or a suitable regex if the pattern varies.
  4. Leave Replace with empty to remove that part from the name.
  5. Use the preview pane to confirm the new names look correct.
  6. Click Apply to rename all files at once.

If the UTC stamp is actually the file’s creation date/time and not text in the name, PowerRename can also rebuild names from the file’s creation date/time using the date/time variables like $YYYY, $MM, $DD, $hh, $mm, etc., in the Replace with field. For example, to rename matching files to YYYY-MM-DD_filename.ext based on creation date:

  • Search for: (.*)
  • Replace with: $YYYY-$MM-$DD_$1

This uses the file’s creation date/time attributes instead of the UTC text in the current name.

References:

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  1. Clary-N 11,405 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2026-04-03T08:34:12.3433333+00:00

    Hi Dan,

    I understand how disruptive it can be to see unexpected information added to all of your file names after moving to a new PC.

    If the files came from a File History backup, restoring them through File History instead of copying them may help avoid the UTC date and time text in the file names. You can try the steps below.

    -Connect the external drive or network location that contains the File History backup and make sure it appears in File Explorer.

    -Open Control Panel, then go to System and Security and select File History.

    -In the left pane, select Restore personal files. This opens a window where you can browse your backups.

    -Use the left and right arrows at the bottom to move between backup dates, then browse folders or use the search box to find the files or folders you want to restore.

    -Select the items you need and click the green Restore button.

    By default, files are restored to their original location.

    To restore to a different folder, right‑click the Restore button and choose Restore to.

    When files are restored this way, they’re brought back using their original names rather than the versioned names created during backup.

    Note: This option applies only if the files are still accessible through File History.

    Please let me know if this fits your case or if there’s anything else I can help with.

    If you have additional questions about this answer, please click "Comment".

    Note: If you want to receive email notifications about this thread, follow the steps in our documentation to enable email notifications.

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