Update a file without changing the date

[brevet]

I need to make a simple edit to all the text files in a directory, adding some lines at the top of each. I don't want to change the date / time of any of the files, because this is valuable information that tells me when each was last worked on (before this change).

Is there any way I can make these updates without affecting the time/date stamp on the files?

 

[lsp11]

I was under the impression that all files bear the date of the machines' clock. Have you tried resetting your (NT) system clock to reflect the date you want and then editing your files?

In Quicken, when you enter dates into the program months or years prior to the physical (current) date, the "program" prompts for a confirmation of the data accuracy. I don't know if NT would do this or not OR if the application running your text files would do this.

I have not tried the clock change and do not know if this could conflict with the archive bit or FAT. Sounds logical & might be worth trying with a "test file" before using the real thing. Please let me know your results. thanks.

LSP11