All,

We have identified two disturbing issues with Microsoft (MS) file 
Properties metadata.

When e-documents in MS suite formats are moved to different internal 
servers, their “Created” date under the Properties-General tab is reset, 
so that we have documents with Modified dates that precede the Created 
date in the Properties fields – i.e. the system event informs the created 
date.  Our OS/Desktop specialist tells us that this is just the way that 
it is, and that the Created field has little practical value other than 
tracking last system event per file. He also informed us that when MS 
format files are taken off of the Windows NT system (e.g. moved onto a 
Unix or Mac platform), any and all metadata entered into the file’s 
Properties Summary fields is expunged. 

I’m sure that we’re not the only institution generating lots of MS records 
in different server environments, yet I haven’t found discussions on this. 
Am I missing something, and has anyone applied a fix or workaround to 
this? We are investigating an ERMS system for automated stamping, tagging 
and other controls, but the legacy documents that we will inherit appear 
to be jaded by these faults. 

Thanks for sharing any related experiences.

George Despres
Mgr., Corporate Records & Archives
The MITRE Corporation

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