XCOPY /D Uses Universal Time, Not Local Time, to Filter Files (194918)

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0

This article was previously published under Q194918

SYMPTOMS

The /D option of the XCOPY command does not specify local time. Instead, XCOPY /D copies all files created GMT 12:00 A.M. or later on the date specified. XCOPY /D: does not convert the entered date from local time to universal time before doing the copy.

For example, if the system is set for PDT (-7) and the following files exist in the Test folder

   TEST1.TMP  07/27/98  04:02p
   TEST2.TMP  07/27/98  05:02p
   TEST3.TMP  07/28/98  12:01a
   TEST4.TMP  07/28/98  12:02a

and the following command is entered

xcopy *.tmp d:\test\*.* /D:07-28-98

the following files are copied:

   TEST2.TMP  07/27/98  05:02p
   TEST3.TMP  07/28/98  12:01a
   TEST4.TMP  07/28/98  12:02a

CAUSE

XCOPY compares the date provided in the /D switch against the file date to determine which files to copy. In Windows NT, the file date is stored in Universal Time (GMT).

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows NT 4.0 or the individual software update. For information on obtaining the latest service pack, please go to:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/servicepacks/ -or-
152734 how to obtain the latest windows nt 4.0 service pack

For information on obtaining the individual software update, contact Microsoft Product Support Services. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://support.microsoft.com/directory/overview.asp

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Windows NT version 4.0. This problem was first corrected in Windows NT 4.0 Service Pack 5.

Modification Type:	Minor	Last Reviewed:	9/23/2005
Keywords:	kbHotfixServer kbQFE kbbug kbfix kbQFE KB194918