Forum Discussion
Metadata for .mov files radically different to originals
If you want your files on the PC to display the correct date in the main Explorer view (so you can sort them correctly), you need a tool to copy the internal "Media Created" date to the File System "Date Created".
Use metadata-aware tools, not Explorer.
You need a tool that reads embedded video metadata, not file system dates.
The industry standard tool for this is ExifTool. It is a command-line tool, but it is the only reliable way to batch fix this on Windows.
Or V L C Media Player, This often shows the correct timestamp even when Explorer doesn’t.
Before deleting videos from your phone:
- Verify using embedded metadata, not file dates
- Prefer:
ExifTool
VL C
3. Do not rely on:
Date Created
Date Modified
File name order
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
Thanks NikolinoDE!
I've installed ExifTool with the GUI by FrankBijnen.
The date and time stamps in there appear correct to the second - phew! That's good news. But it leaves me questioning where on Earth Windows is pulling the errant date and times from when there's no sign of them in the metadata... and how to correct it.
This never used to happen with iOS and OneDrive backups.
Since you already have ExifTool GUI installed:
1. Batch update File System timestamps from embedded metadata:
Use ExifTool to copy the embedded MediaCreateDate or CreateDate to Windows “Date Created” and “Date Modified”.
Example command line (GUI usually lets you do this with checkboxes):exiftool "-FileCreateDate<MediaCreateDate" "-FileModifyDate<MediaCreateDate" *.mov
- This will overwrite the file system timestamps with the correct media date.
- Your Explorer will now sort correctly.
2. Verify using Explorer after running the tool.
- The file should now display the timestamp that matches your iPhone video.
Note…
- Date Taken in Explorer is often blank for .MOV — don’t rely on it.
- VL C Media Player reads embedded metadata directly and shows the correct date/time — handy for verification.
My answers are voluntary and without guarantee!
Hope this will help you.
Does anyone have any ideas? :)