OneDrive File Issues

How to Fix Save As Not Updating File Timestamp in OneDrive

Phi Hung Vo Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users are finding that replacing an existing file via the 'Save As' function updates the file content but fails to update the modified timestamp.

How to Fix Save As Not Updating File Timestamp in OneDrive

Product: OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Replacing existing files (such as PNG images) using the 'Save As' function across applications like Snipping Tool, Outlook, and Paint within a OneDrive synchronized folder.
Observed behavior: The file content is correctly overwritten with the new data, but the original file timestamp remains unchanged in the local directory.

Before you start

Ensure your internet connection is active and check the OneDrive cloud icon in your system tray to confirm if files are currently processing or stuck in synchronization.

Solution 1Recommended

Allow Synchronization to Complete and Verify via OneDrive Web

This issue is often caused by a delay in the local OneDrive client syncing metadata. Checking the web version confirms whether the timestamp has been successfully updated on the cloud server.

When you replace a file locally, the operating system registers the content change, but the local OneDrive client may temporarily hold onto the old metadata (like the timestamp) until a full sync cycle is completed with the cloud tenant.

Save the file normally

Use the 'Save As' function in your application to overwrite the existing file in your local OneDrive folder.

Monitor the sync status

Click the OneDrive cloud icon in your taskbar. Wait until the status displays 'Up to date', indicating that all local changes have been uploaded to the cloud.

Verify on OneDrive Web

Open your web browser, log in to the OneDrive online portal, and navigate to your file. Check the 'Modified' column to confirm that the timestamp accurately reflects the time you replaced the file.

Allow Synchronization to Complete and Verify via OneDrive Web

Sync Delays: Depending on the size of the file and network speeds, it may take a few minutes for the local file explorer to reflect the updated timestamp fetched from the OneDrive server.

Solution 2

Test Alternative Applications and Check Folder Status

Isolating the issue helps determine whether a specific application is mishandling the file saving process or if a specific OneDrive folder is experiencing sync errors.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the file content change but the date modified stays the same in OneDrive?

This typically occurs because the local File Explorer relies on the OneDrive client to update metadata. While the new file content is written immediately, the timestamp might be cached or delayed until the OneDrive client fully syncs the action with the cloud server and pushes the new metadata back to your local drive.

Can I manually force OneDrive to update file timestamps?

You can force a metadata refresh by pausing and then resuming OneDrive synchronization. Click the OneDrive icon in your system tray, click the gear icon, select 'Pause syncing', and then immediately choose 'Resume syncing'. This forces the client to scan for local and cloud disparities.

Does this timestamp issue affect documents saved in WPS Office?

If you are saving WPS Office documents directly into a local OneDrive folder, you may still experience Windows/OneDrive sync delays. However, if you utilize WPS Cloud to save your documents, versions and modified timestamps are updated instantly without relying on the third-party client.

Document & File Issues