How Do I Remove the UTC Timestamp from files backed up by FileHistory?

Anonymous
2014-01-02T19:28:25+00:00

Since I was having so many problems with Windows 8.1 on my ASUS Vivobook x202e, I backed up my files with Windows File History onto an external hard drive and restored the machine to factory settings so I could start using Windows 8 again, with which I have had no issues. 

I record a lot of audio with a freeware recording studio called Audacity, which saves thousands of sound files for each audio project. Because the File History renamed all the files with the UTC timestamp, Audacity does not recognize these thousands of files unless I rename them by deleting the timestamp. I have about 7 audio projects I need to access -- it would take many tedious days to rename all the files.

For example, the original file name was:

e0000d79.au

On my external hard drive, the file appears as:

e0000d79 (2013_11_24 01_59_07 UTC).au

Is there a way to somehow restore these files to their original file name without the timestamp? I looked in File History but was unable to find an option like that.

Thank you,

James

EDIT: I figured it might take some kind of software running a script to do this for me. I found this Powershell script for removing 8 digits that come after an underscore in any file name:

from http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16064268/powershell-remove-timestamp-from-filename

Get-ChildItem *.txt | Where {$.Name -match '\d{8}.txt' } | Rename-Item -NewName {$.Name -replace '\d{8}'}

I had to use Powershell to fix an issue with Windows 8.1 not too long ago, but I am not familiar with how it works. Is there some similar script I could run? For example, deleting anything that comes after a beginning parenthesis would work, as there are no parentheses in the names of the files I need cleaned up.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2014-01-05T17:58:27+00:00

As I had suspected, File History offers a feature to "restore" your files to your PC which will remove the timestamp, whereas copying and pasting your files from an external leaves the timestamp intact. There is absolutely no need for a complicated script or anything like that.

When I restored my computer to factory settings awhile back, I changed the name of my machine to something new, and I had since started a new File History for the restored machine's files -- in other words, I have two backups, which initially seemed to prevent me from using both, as the File History main screen only presented me with one option -- the current computer's File History.

However, this was not a problem when I found that you can visit File History to restore files from a previous backup as a feature.

  1. Go to Control Panel
  2. Under "System and Security," click "Save Backup Copies of your Files with File History"
  3. Click "Select Drive" on the left
  4. Choose the external drive. In my case, I had both backups on the same external.
  5. When you click your drive, the "Select an existing backup" window appears.

I selected my old computer's file history, located the files on which I was sick of having timestamps, and restored to a new folder on my Desktop. Now Audacity recognizes my projects again! No harm done.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-01-07T20:16:53+00:00

    I have been able to remove the UTC timestamp. This is how I did it.

    After going round and round in circles, phoning Microsoft and searching the web, I still came up with no answers on how to remove the UTC time stamp.

    What happened with me was that I installed windows 10 over 32 bit windows 7 home premium.  The newly installed windows 10 didn't respond well and so I took the decision to do a clean install of windows 10 and at the same time change from 32 bit to 64 bit.  After making a backup I then installed (clean install through custom setup) windows 10 64 bit and I have to say it is fast and responsive with no glitches.

    I then decided to restore from my file history backup but no matter how I tried it would not accept it. However I could see my files, (thousands of them) but they all had the  long  UTC time stamp in brackets.  On manually moving these files over to my directory folders the UTC time stamp was still there. With no help from other sources I changed my search to apps that could modify file names.  I came across the open source "Bulk Renaming Utility" the link is http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main\_Intro.php

    This is how it worked for me: Load up the "Bulk Renaming Utility and in the "Remove 5" box" tick R. In "Words box" enter the time code information with brackets that you can copy and paste from one of the file history files (it is the same for all of the files for that particular file history backup) In "Crop" enter with the drop down .. AFTER. Tick "Trim" (this will remove any gaps). Untick Add, Auto date Numbering.

    Then select (Crtl A) as many files as you can and press "Rename" or Ctrl R.  You should see all your selected files back to normal with the UTC time stamp removed.  Repeat this for files in all folders.

    Regards, Martin

    This was a life saver! I will never use Microsoft backup again. I copied to an external hard drive and never had a clean backup from Microsoft without the UTC tags. When my new hard drive as installed and i loaded all my photos, music, videos and docs. they all had time stamps. Plus all the files were labeled as "Read Only" Sometimes I hate Microsoft. Apparently its a default. But you can fix it, see how at the end.

    The description above is great, but if your really unclear about it, i can give some more details if this helps you. It will benefit you if you are totally newbie to look at the Help info for the software.  So download it and install it. When you open the Bulk Rename Utility look to the top of toolbar see Help to far right.  Click on Help: Contents: Getting Started. Read it. Then also click on All Renaming Options. It explains all the boxes and how to use them. The one you want to really look at is "REMOVE". It has a note at the bottom that says:

    Note: When you use the "crop" option, you have the ability of specifying a "special" value using the wildcard (*). This will remove the specified string, and any characters occupied by the wildcard. So for example, specifying (*) would convert "Hello(ABC) Joe" to just "Hello Joe", as it has removed the two square brackets and everything between.

    SO THIS IS WHAT I DID:

    I did my folders separately. I recommend that you try just one file and not an entire folder to see how it works first. 

    I started with my entire Document folder from the left side of the utility program. (It views your files like Microsoft explorer does.) So I clicked on documents. Then they all show up in the utility window. If your files are long. Slide the separator bar from Name & New Name so you can see what your file is going to look like after the rename. NOTE: if some files don't have a UTC time stamp, then nothing will happen to them, they stay the same.

    If for some reason the utility box under all your files isn't there, you may have to right click on any file and choose "Bulk Rename Here" to get it to pop up. I think it already is there when you load it. If so disregard. 

    Up on top of the utilities toolbar, See Remaining Options. Click that and tick "prevent duplicates".

    Then its mostly what Martin said to do: 

    Most everything happens in the Remove box part. If you make a mistake or want to start over you can click on Reset near Revert & Rename. 

    in the "Remove 5" box" tick R. (mine was already ticked) 

    In "Words box" enter the time code information with brackets that you can copy and paste from one of the file history files (it is the same for all of the files for that particular file history backup) I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THAT. I ENTERED THIS (*) Its called a wildcard and it will remove everything that it sees FIRST IN (between these).

    NOTE: I had a few files that were numbered before the UTC time stamp. (1) (2) (3) etc. so it removed the number sequence and not the UTC. I just repeated the folder again and got all the UTC's removed. 

    In "Crop" enter with the drop down .. AFTER. I DIDN'T DO THIS. I CHOSE "SPECIAL" IN THE CROP DROP DOWN. BECAUSE I USED THE (*) WILDCARD.

    Tick "Trim" (this will remove any gaps).

    Untick Add, Auto date Numbering...ON ALL THREE BOXES TO THE RIGHT OF THE REMOVE BOX.

    I also made sure in the Filters (12) section that three boxes were checked:

    Folders, Files & Sub folders. 

    Then click on one of the files and then Then select (Crtl A), this will select all folders.

    Scroll down through the new name and see what your files will look like before you rename them. I see a revert button but thankfully I didn't have to use it or I didn't know if it really reverted things back. 

     Press "Rename" or Ctrl R. A popup will come up asking you are you sure you want to rename, last chance and click ok.

    You should see all your selected files back to normal with the UTC time stamp removed. 

    Repeat this for files in all folders.

    NOTES: once i renamed all the files in my folder, the files just sat there once it was done. I wasn't sure it was done. you can look at the Objects box to the very far bottom left of the program to see it working. Then I had to click on the top part of the left side of "explorer view" on "my PC" to get them out of there. I never figured out how to clear the files in the utility screen after. Then I just opened up my real Windows Explorer and looked at all my Documents and they were all perfect back to normal with no UTC crap. I was impressed how fast it did it too! 

    Playing around trying to figure out the program I saw how cool the features are. You can rename files, photos, number stuff, change time stamps and dates on the photos in bulk. Its is pretty nice software to have expecially because its good and free.

    HOW TO CHANGE  READ ONLY FILES: Just right click onto your folder: Document for example and click properties. Then see the Read only box ticked, untick it and hit apply. A pop up will come up and tick the button that says:  Apply changes to this folder, subfolders & files

    You can do this for all folders that may have got backed up as read only files. 

    Hope it helps. I am newbie and with Martins post I was able to figure it out. 

    Thanks Martin!!

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-22T23:48:44+00:00

    I have been able to remove the UTC timestamp. This is how I did it.

    After going round and round in circles, phoning Microsoft and searching the web, I still came up with no answers on how to remove the UTC time stamp.

    What happened with me was that I installed windows 10 over 32 bit windows 7 home premium.  The newly installed windows 10 didn't respond well and so I took the decision to do a clean install of windows 10 and at the same time change from 32 bit to 64 bit.  After making a backup I then installed (clean install through custom setup) windows 10 64 bit and I have to say it is fast and responsive with no glitches.

    I then decided to restore from my file history backup but no matter how I tried it would not accept it. However I could see my files, (thousands of them) but they all had the  long  UTC time stamp in brackets.  On manually moving these files over to my directory folders the UTC time stamp was still there. With no help from other sources I changed my search to apps that could modify file names.  I came across the open source "Bulk Renaming Utility" the link is http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main\_Intro.php

    This is how it worked for me: Load up the "Bulk Renaming Utility and in the "Remove 5" box" tick R. In "Words box" enter the time code information with brackets that you can copy and paste from one of the file history files (it is the same for all of the files for that particular file history backup) In "Crop" enter with the drop down .. AFTER. Tick "Trim" (this will remove any gaps). Untick Add, Auto date Numbering.

    Then select (Crtl A) as many files as you can and press "Rename" or Ctrl R.  You should see all your selected files back to normal with the UTC time stamp removed.  Repeat this for files in all folders.

    Regards, Martin

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-26T09:12:53+00:00

    Hi,

    Glad to know you fixed the issue. Thank you for sharing the resolution, as this would help other members of the community facing the same issue.

    Please feel free to reply, in case if you need any further assistance or information on this issue.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-03T14:42:35+00:00

    we do not have any scripts you may check with msdn or TechNet as this is a general support forum and

    you may try to restore the files back to the hard drive using file history and check..

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