OneDrive File Issues

Why LastModifiedBy Does Not Change After Moving a OneDrive Item

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user noticed that the LastModifiedBy metadata value does not update after moving a file between drives or locations in OneDrive.

Product: Microsoft OneDrive
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Moving files from Drive A to Drive B, potentially involving manual action or automated workflows.
Observed behavior: The LastModifiedBy value remains unchanged after the file is successfully moved to the new destination.

Before you start

Ensure you have the exact timestamps and user details of the file from both the source and destination drives before troubleshooting to accurately track metadata shifts.

Solution 1Recommended

Verify the Move Method and Power Automate Flows

Determine if the file was moved manually or through an automated process, which directly dictates how metadata is recorded.

When content is moved manually between sites or OneDrive locations, the 'createdBy' and 'modifiedBy' properties should generally reflect the user who performed the action. However, backend automation can alter this expected behavior.

Check for automation

Investigate if a custom Power Automate flow or another background script was triggered during the move process.

Review file properties

Open the details pane in OneDrive and document the before-and-after values for both 'createdBy' and 'modifiedBy'.

Compare storage locations

Verify the source and destination URLs to determine if the move crossed different site collections or remained within the same drive infrastructure.

Metadata Retention: Certain SharePoint and OneDrive migration APIs or Power Automate configurations are designed to intentionally preserve original metadata during a move to maintain historical accuracy.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does copying a file update the LastModifiedBy property differently than moving it?

Yes, copying a file generally creates a brand-new file instance at the destination. Therefore, the LastModifiedBy and CreatedBy properties are updated to the user who performed the copy action.

Why did my Power Automate flow not update the modified metadata upon moving?

Some SharePoint and OneDrive connectors in Power Automate are intentionally designed to retain the original file metadata when moving files. You may need to configure the flow explicitly to update file properties if you want the modified date to reflect the move.

Where can I view the exact modified metadata for a file in OneDrive online?

You can view detailed metadata by right-clicking the target file in the OneDrive web interface, selecting 'Details', and reviewing the properties pane that appears on the right side of your screen.

Document & File Issues