SNIP
Probably not going to keep the original timestamps when using
Windows/File Explorer. When it creates a new file (the destination for
a copy operation), the timestamp will be when the file was created.

You can try using the command shell to do copy operations, like using
robocopy included in Windows. See:

https://superuser.com/a/1326224

Not sure how you are copying files from your PC to your tablet if
Windows on the PC is not assigned a drive letter to the tablet. How
are you going to transfer the .zip file from the PC to the tablet
without a drive letter for the tablet?

The tablet is a Samsung Galaxy Tab A model : SM-T280.

The name of the device is displayed using Windows explorer, but
no drive letter. Therefore, I am not able to use the command,
"copy *.* E:" (copy all files at present location to the E: drive)

VERY IMPORTANT:

I forgot to mention that the first time I plugged this tablet, via
USB cable, into the Win7 laptop, Win7 searched for a driver,
but could NOT find a driver for the tablet.

I may search for a Windows 7 driver for this tablet, and that
might solve the problem?

You sure the USB port in the tablet is configured for file transfer?
The setting in the tablet might restrict the USB port to just charging
or other limited use. In addition, in your tablet, you might have to
change from PTP to MTP for connection protocol.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Transfer_Protocol
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_Transfer_Protocol

BTW, I had to "Allow" access to the tablet (on the tablet) when
I first plugged it in.

John