------------------------------------------------------------------------- TouchPro V5.0.1.3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- TouchPro is a Windows program that allows you to modify (or "touch") any, or all of a file's time & date values. TouchPro integrates seamlessly with Windows Explorer, appearing as an additional page of a file's property pages and also via a context menu. You can modify multiple files' time & date values by using a multiple selection, and even modify all the files in sub-directories. TouchPro runs under Windows 95, 98, ME, NT 4, 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista. TouchPro - Copyright (c) 1996-2007 JD Design, All Rights Reserved ----------------------------------------------------------------- Note ---- You might like to print this file so that you can easily refer to it during installation. You can re-read this file after installation by clicking the Start -> Programs -> JD Design -> TouchPro -> Readme menu item. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Installation ------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can execute the TouchPro.msi file directly from your web browser (if you're accessing TouchPro from our web site), or download it and run it from your hard disk, or from the supplied floppy disk (if you've ordered one with your registration). If you don't have an up-to-date copy of the Windows Installer, you may need to install a more recent version. For Windows 9x/ME use this URL: http://download.microsoft.com/download/WindowsInstaller/Install/2.0/W9XMe/EN-US/InstMsiA.exe For Windows NT/2000, use this one: http://download.microsoft.com/download/WindowsInstaller/Install/2.0/NT45/EN-US/InstMsiW.exe If Microsoft have changed the location of these redistributables, try the following starting point and look for the Windows Installer Redistributables: http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/ The last step of Setup informs you that TouchPro is installed and briefly tells you how to use it. If you're upgrading an existing version, setup may need to restart Windows. Installing under Windows NT4, 2000, XP, 2003 Server, Vista ---------------------------------------------------------- You need to run the installation from an account with Administrator privileges. If an administrator applies the EnforceShellExtensionSecurity policy to limit the use of shell extensions to approved ones, they will need to add TouchPro to that list in the registry: Create a REG_SZ value whose name is "{AD6C3BE1-DD8A-11ce-872F-444553540000}" under the HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions\Approved branch. Administration Installation --------------------------- The installer supports the MSI administative installation options. For example: msiexec /jm touchpro.msi "Advertises" TouchPro on all the machine's users Programs menu items. When a user invokes the Start->Programs->JD Design->TouchPro->Readme option, the installation of TouchPro will complete. or: msiexec /a touchpro.msi Performs an "administrative" installation to a shared network location. Files Installed by Setup ------------------------ Setup copies the following files to the installation folder: TouchCmd.exe Command line version of TouchPro TouchPro.dll The TouchPro Shell Extension DLL TOUCHPRO.HLP Help for TouchPro touchpro.txt This file TouchPro.lang English resource file And for operating systems prior to Windows XP: gdiplus.dll Microsoft advanced graphics library Additionally, for Windows 9x: unicows.dll The Microsoft Layer for Unicode Touchf95.exe Utility program for touching folders under Windows9x. Setup will also add relevant registry entries and Start menu items. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- How Do You Use TouchPro? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Use Explorer and select the files or the directory branch that you want to touch. Property Page/Settings Dialog ----------------------------- a. Display the property pages by using the File, Properties menu (or right click and choose the Properties menu item). b. With TouchPro installed you will see an extra "TouchPro" page in the Properties dialog. c. Click on the "TouchPro" tab to use TouchPro. d. Alter the time and date values, and select whatever options you want by clicking the appropriate check boxes. e. Click the "Touch Now" button. To see the changes in Explorer's detail view in some operating systems, you may need to refresh Explorer's view using the View, Refresh menu (or press F5). Context Menu Operations ----------------------- These are only available to registered users (since they require the ability to save the settings to work effectively). Touch with Last Saved Settings & Current Time & Date ---------------------------------------------------- This modifies the selected items with the current date and time. The last saved settings apply (except for the time and date values). Touch with Last Saved Settings ------------------------------ This modifies the selected items with the last saved settings values. Settings -------- Lets you access the TouchPro settings and operation directly. TouchPro allows you to populate its time controls from an existing timestamp of the first selected file. The following list gives the types of files TouchPro can read, and indicates the internal properties and any equivalence to the file timestamp names used in TouchPro: MAPI email messages (Microsoft Outlook) Created - PR_CREATION_TIME Accessed - PR_CLIENT_SUBMIT_TIME Modified - PR_LAST_MODIFICATION_TIME Internet email message (Outlook Express) Created - "Date" property Accessed - none Modified - "Received" property Microsoft Office Documents (structured storage files): Created - Date Created (PIDSI_CREATE_DTM) Accessed - Last Printed (PIDSI_LASTPRINTED) Modified - Date Last Saved (PIDSI_LASTSAVE_DTM) Picture files (JPG, PNG, TIFF) Created - Date picture taken (PropertyTagExifDTOrig) Accessed - Time the thumbnail image was created (PropertyTagThumbnailDateTime) Modified - Time the image was created (PropertyTagDateTime) TouchPro allows you to change the timestamps embedded in some types of files. Microsoft Office Documents (structured storage files): As in the list above. Picture files (JPG, PNG, TIFF) Date picture taken (PropertyTagExifDTOrig) Command Line Version -------------------- Along with the shell extension GUI version, there is a command line version (TouchCmd) that gives you the same facilities as TouchPro via a command line interface - so you can easily automate any build operations. You can find TouchCmd in the TouchPro installation directory. The default directory is Program Files\JD Design\TouchPro. To easily use the command line utilities you will need to add the TouchPro installation directory to your computer's PATH environment variable. For Windows 9x modify your autoexec.bat file. For Windows NT/2000/XP use the Computer Properties, Advanced, Environment Variables dialog. Usage: TouchCmd /T[time] /D[date] /C /M /A /O /F /S /R /E /BJ /BD /H path /T[time] Specify the time to use or omit [time] to use current time /D[date] Specify the date to use or omit [date] to use current date /C Created Timestamp /M Last Modified Timestamp /A Last Accessed Timestamp /O Touch Folders /F Touch Files /S Process sub-directories /R Touch Read-only files /E+/-d:h:m:s Offset timestamp days:hours:mins:secs /BJ Touch embedded dates in picture file properties /BD Touch embedded dates in document properties (structured storage file formats) /H Displays this information path [drive:][path][filename] (wildcards supported) Enter the time and date parameters in your regional format as set in Control Panel, Regional Settings. Examples -------- To touch all the files in a directory: TouchCmd ... /F "dirname/*.*" To touch all the files in a directory & sub-directories: TouchCmd ... /F /S "dirname/*.*" To touch a directory: TouchCmd ... /O "dirname" To touch a directory and all sub-directories: TouchCmd ... /O /S "dirname" To touch all files and directories in a directory: TouchCmd ... /F /O "dirname/*.*" To touch all files, directories, and sub-directories in a directory: TouchCmd ... /F /O /S "dirname/*.*" Note that the above examples quote the directory/filename to cater for names that contains spaces. Time Offset Usage ----------------- This changes the last modified timestamp by -12 hours: TouchCmd /M /F /E-0:12:0:0 filename.ext Saving and Restoring Timestamps ------------------------------- In conjunction with our free FileTms utility (which you can download from our web site), TouchCmd allows you to save and restore file timestamps. 1. Use FileTms to output the file's current timestamp values to a batch file using command line redirection: c:\>filetms filename.ext -t > tpcmd.bat The tpcmd.bat file created then looks something like this: TouchCmd /F /C /D09/05/1980 /T01:00:00 filename.ext TouchCmd /F /A /D24/07/2002 /T22:10:03 filename.ext TouchCmd /F /M /D09/05/1980 /T01:00:00 filename.ext 2. Perform your file operations that result in the timestamps changing. 3. Run the tpcmd batch file to restore the original timestamps. Note ---- The OK and Apply buttons on the main Property Page dialog do not perform the Touch operation. The file's Last Accessed time may change to the current date and time after you have touched the values. Because any file access can alter the Last Accessed time, it may be difficult to ascertain that this feature works correctly. In particular, some applications have their own property sheet pages that access the file, and consequently alter the Last Accessed time. Notes on File Timestamps ------------------------ See the TouchPro FAQ on our web site (www.jddesign.co.uk). Hot fixes for error when touching folders under Windows 98, 98 SE, or ME ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you experience an error when touching the timestamps of folders under Windows 98, 98 SE, or Windows ME, please use the links on the TouchPro page of our web site (http://www.jddesign.co.uk) to request the hot fix for your operating system. Note that this only applies to registered users since the folder touch facility is only enabled in a registered copy. Limitations ----------- TouchPro can only alter the modified time value for files stored on Novell Netware drives. TouchPro cannot alter the timestamp of folders on Novell Netware drives. Under Windows 9x, TouchPro reports an "Incorrect function" error, while under NT/Windows 2000/Windows XP it reports "The handle is invalid." Registered Version Features --------------------------- The registered version of TouchPro adds the following advanced features: * Separate time and date modification. You can alter the time and date together, or individually. * The ability to alter the time & date of folders. * The ability to alter the timestamps of files in nested folders. * The ability to alter the timestamps of read-only files and folders. * Offset time adjustment. * Alter embedded times in pictures and structured storage documents. * Control of recursion into folders. You can select folders to have their timestamp modified, but prevent TouchPro from modifying the files in and beneath those folders. * Alternate time & date entry formats. * The ability to save the last used settings. * Command line version. * Context menu items for common operations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Registering ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The easiest way to register is online using the secure card payment facilities on our web site. When you receive your registration information, enter your registered name and number into the About dialog box. You can access this dialog from the main TouchPro dialog About button. You must enter the information exactly as it appears. The case, spaces, and punctuation of the name are significant, and the number is composed of the characters 0-9, A-F and again, the case of the letters is significant. If you register the set of utilities, be sure to use the correct registration number for each product. You can check that registration has worked by re-displaying the About box from the main dialog. When the product is successfully registered your registration name is displayed in the About dialog rather than the entry fields. Updates ------- Any updates to the current version are free to registered users by downloading the latest version from our web site. You may need to email us for an updated registration number. Removal ------- Locate the "TouchPro" item in the Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs list. Revision History ---------------- V5.0.1.3 9 Jan 2007 ------------------- Fix to allow correct operation of the structured storage document touch operation under Windows Vista. V5.0.1.2 9 Dec 2006 ------------------- Changes to the command line syntax handing of file & directory names in TouchCmd. Improve TouchCmd progress messages. V5.0.1.1 2 June 2005 ---------------------- Fixes for TouchCmd on Win9x operating systems. V5.0.1.0 10 May 2005 ---------------------- TouchCmd now supports setting the time and date to the current time. Fix to resolve crash that could occur in some computers when loading. Fix to prevent keyboard access lockout after using the Touch Now button. V5.0.0.0 26 Feb 2005 -------------------- New options to touch the "Date Created" (Created), "Date Last Saved" (Modified), "Date Last Printed (Accessed) properties in structured storage files (MS Office documents) and the "Date Picture Taken" property in picture files. Extended facility to set the time and date controls from: * Email files (MAPI (Outlook) and SMTP Internet (Outlook Express) formats. * Structured Storage files (Office documents). * Pictures. * All file system times. Improved load time to remove unneccesary delays when a large number of items is selected. Fix for true MBCS OS's (Win9x) when touching folders. Now touches the "." (current folder) items. V4.5.1.0 8 March 2004 --------------------- Fixed a memory leak. About dialog now loaded from the translated resouce. V4.5.0.0 19 July 2003 --------------------- Time offset adjustment. Rather than touch a file with an absolute time, you can now adjust the current timestamps by a +/- offset. The offset facility is also available in the command line version via the /E parameter. New popup menu options - the "Now" button facility moves to a menu item, along with the new "set time to current file time" facility. This latter facility lets you set the time controls to the last modified timestamp of the primary selected item (when you invoked TouchPro). Resolves an issue that some applications that simulate invoking the shell property sheet may experience. When loading, TouchPro modifies the size of its dialog resource. This causes an exception that Explorer defers to the operating system to resolve. Some other applications may handle the exception as an error. The change modifies TouchPro's resources to be read-write so that the exception never occurs. Fixed a problem in the command line utility for dates < 1900. Fixes a daylight savings issue with the offset facility in the prior test release. Resolved the File menu duplication issue with Explorer for Windows 95. V4.4 ---- Limited test release of the offset time facility. V4.3.0.0 1 Jan 2003 -------------------- Adds the "now" icon button to set the time controls to the current time. Added bitmap to the main popup context menu item. Added a "Don't ask me again" option to the message box prompt that occurs if the Touch operation fails for some reason (such as a file being in-use). Revised the operation of the 24-hr format option. Previously it toggled between the user's default time format and 24-hr. It now toggles between 12 & 24 hr formats. Show the hourglass cursor during the Touch operation. Further resolved the menu quirk noted in the last release (see below) for NT4. Unfortunately the problem still persists under Window 95. V4.2.0.0 6 August 2002 ----------------------- Fixed a minor cosmetic problem with the context menu popup appearing multiple times when the Explorer File menu is invoked. This problem is noted in MS KB article Q214477. This problem persists under Windows 95 and NT4 since the remidy doesn't appear to work under these platforms. Revisions to simplify multiple language translations - removed dialog duplication for the property page and context menu dialog. V4.1.0.0 9 May 2002 -------------------- Unicode version. Under Windows NT/2000/XP, TouchPro will now work correctly with file and folder names that contain characters not supported by your current code page. Now uses the MSI installer. Fixed a minor cosmetic problem with the short/long date format option. V4.0.1.0 15 April 2002 ----------------------- Added checks around directory navigation to prevent a problem if a folder is inaccesible to the current user. Fix for TouchCmd to properly process nested sub-directories. TouchCmd now clearly indicates that it does not touch any files when it is unregistered. V4.0.0.1 29 September 2001 --------------------------- Bug fix for the TouchPro context menus under Win9x. TouchPro now supports Windows XP themed displays. TouchCmd fix for Win9x when no date specified when touching folders. TouchCmd now echoes the time and date that it will apply and touches the root folder if that's all that is specified on the command line. V4.0.0.0 12 September 2001 --------------------------- Added context menu operations to provide a fast method of applying the current settings. Added TouchCmd - a command line version of TouchPro. V3.3.0.0 10 February 2001 -------------------------- Added the ability to touch read-only files and folders. The main dialog now identifies which controls are unavailable in an unregistered copy. Changed the date control to the drop-down calendar format. Now recurses sub-directories before touching a folder timestamp - to prevent altering the last accessed timestamp of the folder. V3.2.2.5 23 January 2001 ------------------------- This release contains a minor code speed improvement and information on obtaining Microsoft hot fixes for Windows 98, 98 SE, and ME to fix random failures to touch folder timestamps. V3.2.2.4 1 January 2001 ------------------------ This version fixes a bug when touching folders under Windows 9x. Previous versions would fail if the folder name contained non-ASCII characters. V3.2.2.3 13 August 2000 ------------------------ This version fixes a bug when touching folders with long path names under Windows 9x. This did not occur under Windows NT or Windows 2000 as TouchPro uses a different method under these operating systems. V3.2.2.2 3 Jan 2000 -------------------- Update installation to add shortcuts menu items and modify this document. V3.2.2.1 18 Sept 1999 ---------------------- Modified the About dialog. Changed the registration number field to make it a little easier to enter the number. Updated the home page URL and added a mail link. V3.2.2.0 4 July 1999 --------------------- A registered version now has the option to touch files, folders, or both. Moved the save facility to a separate button. V3.2.1.1 23 May 1999 --------------------- Extended the Windows 9x folder touching to handle all 3 timestamp values and the selective time and date facility. V3.2.0.0 8 May 1999 --------------------- Added the facility to touch folders under Windows 9x. V3.1.0.3 30 January 1999 --------------------------- Minor change to allow international registration names. V3.1.0.2 December 1998 ---------------------- Rebuilt and updated documentation to reflect the self extracting installer. V3.1.0.0 November 1998 ---------------------- Added the alternate time and date formats, and the Save facility. These facilities are only available to registered users. TouchPro is now distributed as a self-installing EXE. V3.0.1.1 August 1998 -------------------- Bug fix. Prior to this version, if you touched the contents of a removable disk, and removed the disk, it could give rise to Explorer not being able to launch any programs from its Start menu. This version fixes this problem, which is easily avoided in earlier versions by leaving the removable disk in the drive. V3.0.1 February 1998 -------------------- Cosmetic changes - added help & tooltips, made the date field longer as some language default settings can give long date fields. Changed unregistered defaults - can't now recurse folders. V3.0 October 1997 ----------------- New registration system. Under NT, allow modification of directory time stamps. Now uses the new common controls date time picker control. Support ------- We maintain a list of frequently asked questions on our web site. If you have a technical question, please check there to see if you can find an answer before contacting us. We will post the latest versions of our utilities on our web site as soon as they are available, so please take a look to keep up to date and to see what other software and services we offer. Web Site: http://www.jddesign.co.uk/ If you have any suggestions for improvements to any of our utilities, please contact us via email (our up-to-date address is on our web site's contacts page). It's always good to hear from people using our products, and we appreciate your taking the time to tell us. Thanks JD Design