Duplicating file content without transferring associated metadata, such as timestamps, author information, or security attributes, creates a clean slate for the copied data. For instance, transferring a document to a new system while excluding the original creation date can be achieved through this process. This distinction between content and metadata is crucial in various scenarios.
This selective duplication offers significant advantages in areas like data migration, digital forensics, and system administration. Stripping a file of its metadata enhances privacy and security during transfers, particularly when dealing with sensitive information. Historically, this functionality emerged as storage limitations and bandwidth constraints necessitated prioritizing core data over supplementary details. The ability to separate content from metadata has become increasingly relevant in modern computing, given the growing complexity and volume of data.