How to prevent `atime` in Linux from overwriting `Date created` in Windows on NTFS?

From Linux, if I alter files on an NTFS external HD so that I get some specific values for mtime, atime and ctime (readable with the stat command, and with ctime = mtime because one cannot change access permissions of files on NTFS from Linux - I think) and if I then connect the same external HD on a Windows 7 system, I see that Date modified = mtime (as expected) but I also get Date created = atime. How comes atime takes the placeholder associated with the NTFS CTime timestamp, and is there a way to avoid this behavior, for example would using the noatime option on NTFS volumes be a proper solution? My goal is to be able to work from both Windows and Linux on this same external HD without mingling too much the timestamps. **Edit** After re-investigating the issue, it turns out that the problem is not present in the end. I must have been confused at the time I asked the question. I still leave the question as it has generated some comments and an answer.