How to Enable or Disable NTFS Last Access Time Stamp Updates in Windows 10
The Last Access Time stamp displays an updated time each file and folder on a NTFS volume was last accessed.
In the System Managed mode, the NTFS driver can enable or disable the “Last Access” updates during the boot (in particular, when the system volume is mounted). The “Last Access” updates are enabled for NTFS volumes when the size of the system volume (which is usually mounted as the “C:” drive) is 128 GB or less. If the system volume is larger, then the “Last Access” updates are disabled.
In the User Managed mode, the status of the “Last Access” updates isn’t modified by the system during the boot. "Last Access" will stay enabled or disabled as you set.
Value Description 0 User Managed, Last Access Time Updates Enabled 1 User Managed, Last Access Time Updates Disabled 2 (default) System Managed, Last Access Time Updates Enabled 3 System Managed, Last Access Time Updates Disabled
See also:
Having the Last Access Time stamp enabled on an older or slower computer may cause file access to take longer.
This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the NTFS Last Access Time stamp updates for all users in Windows 10.
You must be signed in as an administrator to enable or disable the Last Access Time stamp.
This tutorial is only valid in Windows 10 version 1803 and higher.
Contents
- Option One: Enable or Disable NTFS Last Access Time Stamp Updates using Command
- Option Two: Enable or Disable NTFS Last Access Time Stamp Updates using a REG file
- Option Three: Enable or Disable NTFS Last Access Time Stamp Updates using a BAT file
EXAMPLE: Last Access Time stamp
The Date accessed column in File Explorer details view is not there by default unless added.
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1 Open an elevated command prompt or elevated PowerShell console window.
2 Copy and paste the command below you want to use into the elevated console window, and press Enter.
(See current status of Last Access Time Updates)
fsutil behavior query disablelastaccess
OR
(User Managed, Last Access Time Updates Enabled)
fsutil behavior set disablelastaccess 0
OR
(User Managed, Last Access Time Updates Disabled)
fsutil behavior set disablelastaccess 1
OR
(Default - System Managed, Last Access Time Updates Enabled)
fsutil behavior set disablelastaccess 2
OR
(System Managed, Last Access Time Updates Disabled)
fsutil behavior set disablelastaccess 3
3 Close the elevated console window.
4 Restart the computer to apply.
The downloadable .reg files below will modify the DWORD value in the registry key below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\FileSystem
NtfsDisableLastAccessUpdate DWORD
80000000 (hex) = User Managed, Last Access Time Updates Enabled
80000001 (hex) = User Managed, Last Access Time Updates Disabled
80000002 (hex) = System Managed, Last Access Time Updates Enabled
80000003 (hex) = System Managed, Last Access Time Updates Disabled
1 Do step 2 (user enabled), step 3 (user disabled), step 4 (system enabled), or step 5 (system disabled) below for what you would like to do.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
User_Managed,_Last_Access_Updates_Enabled.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
User_Managed,_Last_Access_Updates_Disabled.reg
Download
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
DEFAULT_System_Managed,_Last_Access_Updates_Enabled.reg
Download
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 6 below.
System_Managed,_Last_Access_Updates_Disabled.reg
Download
6 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
7 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
8 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
9 Restart the computer to apply.
10 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
Special thank you to Paul Black for providing the BAT file in this option.
1 Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
2 Save the BAT file to your desktop.
3 Unblock the BAT file.
4 Right click or press and hold on the BAT file, and click/tap on Run as administrator.
5 If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes to approve.
6 Type a number for the option you want. (see screenshot below)
7 When processing is complete, you can press any key to exit.
That's it,
Shawn Brink