I'm moving files from one folder to another on the same drive. When I do that, the archive attribute which was cleared on the original -- is not getting preserved.
I do not want to back this file up again because it's already backed up. I have a large mix of files in many subfolders so i can't simply perform a subsequent step.
In the settings I have "Preserve the attributes of Copied files" checkbox set. This does not seem to be getting respected on a move.
It's standard/automatic Windows behavior to set the A attribute on a file that is renamed. (Move on the same device is a rename, but you'll see the same thing happen if you just change the name of the file as well, both inside and outside of Opus.)
"Preserve the attributes of Copied files" only applies when actual copies are made of files.
Technically, you are renaming it: "Move on the same device is a rename".
(Either way, a same-device move isn't a copy. No new file is created; the old file's path changes and it's still the same file as before.)
Note that it is not Opus that is setting or clearing the A attribute when files are renamed, moved or edited; it's something Windows does.
If Preferences / File Operations / Copy Attributes / Preserve the attributes of copied files is turned on then the copy should have the same A attribute state as the original file.
(There is also Preferences / File Operations / Copy Attributes / Mark copied files as archived (clear the A flag) which will always clear the A attribute on the new copy, and the similar option below it which will always clear the A attribute on the original copy.)
Those options override the default Windows behavior, but only apply to copy operations.
However I can confirm that you are correct copy is working as intended with Preferences / File Operations / Copy Attributes / Preserve the attributes of copied files checked.
It would be good if this functionality was replicated on moves. I have a complicated file structure and once you move a large amount of files into another large amount of files it can get crazy if their attribute patterns do not get maintained. I'll wind up re-backing up files that are already backed up wasting disc space and money.
The other check box you mentioned wouldn't help because not all the files I'm moving are not backed up already. So their archive bit needs to stay set.