Fix SharePoint Shortcut Showing Wrong Modified Date in File Explorer
Question details
Users notice that files and folders synced via OneDrive shortcuts display the local synchronization date rather than the original SharePoint modified date.
- Product
- SharePoint Online / OneDrive
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Synchronizing a SharePoint document library or adding SharePoint folders as shortcuts to local storage.
- Observed behavior
- The modified date shown in File Explorer reflects the time the shortcut was added or synchronized locally, completely ignoring the actual last modified date from SharePoint.
Verify that your OneDrive application is fully updated and currently syncing, and log into SharePoint Online via your web browser to check the actual document modified dates.
Acknowledge the Synchronization Limitation and Submit Feedback
Currently, Microsoft does not provide a native setting to sync the original SharePoint folder timestamps to File Explorer.
When you add SharePoint Online folders as OneDrive shortcuts or synchronize a complete document library, File Explorer displays the date the synchronization occurred locally rather than the original SharePoint modified date.
This is a known limitation by design in the File Explorer and OneDrive integration. There is no hidden setting or registry tweak to force the timestamps to match the SharePoint server.
Open your web browser, navigate to your SharePoint document library, and view the 'Modified' column to see the accurate timestamps.
Go to the official SharePoint feedback portal (feedbackportal.microsoft.com) and submit a suggestion to synchronize folder timestamps with File Explorer.
Rely on SharePoint Web Interface for Accurate Timestamps
Since File Explorer cannot display the correct modified dates for synced folders, use the web browser for version control and timestamp checking.
Try WPS Office for Seamless Document Management
While the File Explorer timestamp issue is a native Windows limitation, you can still improve your overall document workflow. WPS Office serves as a lightweight, fully compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers robust local and cloud document editing with excellent file compatibility without the heavy resource usage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does File Explorer show today's date for my old SharePoint files?
When you create a shortcut or sync a library, your operating system records the exact date and time the local folder or shortcut was created on your computer, rather than pulling the historical modified date from the SharePoint server.
Is there a registry edit or hidden setting to fix the sync timestamp?
No, this is currently a known limitation in how OneDrive and SharePoint interact with local file systems. There are no built-in settings or registry tweaks to change this behavior to match the server.
Does this timestamp issue affect the actual files or just the folders?
This behavior typically affects the folders and shortcut links. Individual files within the folders may still retain their original modified dates once fully downloaded and opened locally, though folder timestamps will heavily reflect the sync date.
How can I easily see the true modified date of my SharePoint folders?
The most reliable method is to open your SharePoint document library in a web browser. The web interface directly reads from the server database, which accurately tracks and displays the true modified date for all items.
