Preserviing the original date of a download file

[mm]

I realize finally that I can't tell the creation date of a downloaded
file. Regardless of what it really is, I end up with the download
date and time showing in both the date modified and creation date.

(In Windows Explorer, it shows the last date and time modified, and in
PowerDesk 6, it also displays the creation date and time.)

Is there a way to make Windows (or is it the Firefox downloader that
changes it?) preserve the date on the file when it is stored on my
computer??



Background: This was especially important recently when I dl'd an
antivirus boot disk which wouldn't even work. It turns out it is a
file from 2 years ago. I would have wanted something newer, even if
this one DID work, but the date in Explorer is always the download
date.

 

[mm]

FTP. Old style Internet download protocol used to do it. New style HTTP
doesn't.

Dang new-fangled stuff. We should go back to the US mail. It didn't
change creation date.

Thanks.

 

[Al Falfa]

... I can't tell the creation date of a downloaded file.
Regardless of what it really is, I end up with the download
date and time showing in both the date modified and creation date. ....
Is there a way to make Windows ... preserve the date on the file
when it is stored on my computer? ...

mm,
Use 'CURL.exe' with '-R/--remote-time' command-line switch from
http://curl.haxx.se/

curl -R
-O
url URL

Libcurl will try to determine timestamp of remote file, and if available,
give local file that timestamp.

In Win-explorer, for downloaded file,
'Date Modified:' may show timestamp of remote file,
'Date Created:' will show when file was downloaded.

 

[mm]

mm,
Use 'CURL.exe' with '-R/--remote-time' command-line switch from
http://curl.haxx.se/

curl -R
-O
url URL

Libcurl will try to determine timestamp of remote file, and if available,
give local file that timestamp.

In Win-explorer, for downloaded file,
'Date Modified:' may show timestamp of remote file,
'Date Created:' will show when file was downloaded.

Thanks. It looks very good. I think it says I have to compile it.

 

[Al Falfa]

Thanks. It looks very good. I think it says I have to compile it.

mm,
No need to compile. http://curl.haxx.se/download.html has a binary
'win Win32 - Generic (Win32 2000/XP)', unzip, ready to use.