Forum Discussion

wotsit_thing's avatar
wotsit_thing
Copper Contributor
Jan 24, 2026

Metadata for .mov files radically different to originals

My iPhone's photos and videos are backed up to OneDrive. The files are al synced to my PC hard drive. I'm just clearing off some of the larger .mov files from my iPhone as a quick way to make space...
.mov
Metadata
wotsit_thing's avatar
wotsit_thing
Copper Contributor
Jan 27, 2026

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.

NikolinoDE's avatar
NikolinoDE
Platinum Contributor
Feb 03, 2026

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.