[palosanto]

This has probably been posted before many times but I did a search and couldn't find related posts.
Currently when I backup and restore, the restored files and folders date/time stamps are updated to the current even when most files haven't been changed.
Is this by design? 
Is there any threads talking about this?

[Zubersoft]

It's not something I can control unfortunately. Neither Windows nor iOS let you override the last modified timestamp for files that are created through the frameworks that MobileSheets uses. Android supports this on some devices and Android OS versions and not others (it's inconsistent).

When restoring a backup, all files are deleted, and then everything is extracted from the backup. MobileSheets does not check for each file to see if there is an existing file that exactly matches what is being extracted from the backup to see if it can be ignored - that would slow things down considerably.

Mike

[palosanto]

It's not something I can control unfortunately. Neither Windows nor iOS let you override the last modified timestamp for files that are created through the frameworks that MobileSheets uses. Android supports this on some devices and Android OS versions and not others (it's inconsistent).

When restoring a backup, all files are deleted, and then everything is extracted from the backup. MobileSheets does not check for each file to see if there is an existing file that exactly matches what is being extracted from the backup to see if it can be ignored - that would slow things down considerably.

Mike

Thanks Mike. I have to admit I'm a bit puzzled — if all files are backed up and the target is wiped before restoring, wouldn't the source files just be restored with their original timestamps regardless of whether they're newer or older than the target? Since you're not really overwriting anything at that point, I'm not sure where the timestamp issue comes in. That said, I'm sure there's a good reason for it.

On my end, outside of occasional MSP's built-in backups betwenn machines, I also run daily incremental backups of all my work files using dedicated backup software — not just MSP. For MSP specifically, I back up the library, the LocalState folder, and a document with the license numbers. That should cover everything, and it sidesteps the timestamp issue entirely.
I also have a "Master" settings only backup that I can always use if I mess up something.

[Zubersoft]

The operating system sets the last modified timestamp as well as the date created timestamp when the file is created. Like I said, I can't override that. So I update the database to reflect what is set by the operating system.

Mike

[Geoff Bacon]

Mike

It is possible to change dates in windows but perhaps not under the UWP model.

I'll see if I can find the code this weekend (if I  remember!)

Geoff

[Zubersoft]

I'm only focused on what the UWP framework allows, as that's what the app is written in. I'm switching to WinUI 3 soon, so maybe that will allow more control, but it won't change the limitations on some Android devices and on iOS.

Mike