File Consolidation

I use Win10. I have a photos directory c:\pictures which has a couple hundred sub-directories and a few thousand .jpgs in them. I would like to easily combine these into one directory on a back up disc, and hopefully sort them in date order. The methods I have used so far seem to give a new date to the transferred files. Is there a way I can combine all these and retain the original dates?

 

have you tried using file compression tool like 7-zip that will keep all directories in to one file. https://7-zip.org/

 

You want to get rid of the directory structure? (no more sub folders?)
If you open the folder in Explorer, search for *.jpg (if they are all jpegs), select & cut all the found files and paste into the top level directory (folder), they should keep the original dates.

 

I actually have to access those files daily or so, so don't want them archived, just easier to access.

 

Thanks, I will give that a try. Appreciate it.

 

I find it easier to just drag the files to the destination folder. Just a tip.