Batch Rename Files The Easy Way

October 29, 2024 | 4 minutes read |

Software Windows

Organizing and managing files can be a tedious task, especially when you have a large number of files that need to be renamed. Fortunately, there are several methods and tools available to help you batch rename files quickly and efficiently. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various options for bulk renaming files, from built-in Windows features to third-party software, so you can choose the solution that best fits your needs.

Walkthrough Video

Basic File Renaming in Windows File Explorer

The simplest way to rename multiple files at once is by using the built-in file renaming feature in Windows File Explorer. To do this, follow these steps:

Select all the files you want to rename.
Right-click on the selected files and choose “Rename.”
Type the new file name you want to use, and all the selected files will be renamed with sequential numbering.

This method is quick and easy, but it has some limitations. For example, it doesn’t take file extensions into account, so some files will have the same name. If you need more control over the renaming process, you can use a batch script or PowerShell.

Batch Renaming with a Script

Creating a batch script is a more robust method for renaming multiple files. Here’s how to do it:

Create a .bat file on your desktop.
Right-click the batch file and select “Edit.”

Paste the batch script below and save the file.

@echo off
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion
set /p "FP=Enter the path: "
set /p "PX=Enter a name for the new file(s): "
cd /d "%FP%" || (echo Invalid path. Exiting. & exit /b)
set "C=0"
for %%f in (*.*) do set /a C+=1
set "D=0"
for /l %%i in (1,1,%C%) do set /a D+=1 & set /a C/=10 & if !C! leq 0 goto done
:done
set /a i=1
for %%f in (*.*) do (
    set "OD=%%~nf"
    set "X=%%~xf"
    set "N=000000000!i!"
    set "N=!N:~-%D%!"
    echo "[Renaming] %%f  -->  %PX%!N!!X!"
    ren "%%f" "%PX%!N!!X!"
    set /a i+=1
)
echo Press any key to exit.
pause >nul

Run the script and enter the full path to the files you want to rename. (Navigate to the folder that has the files, click the address bar and copy the full path)
Type the new file name prefix, and the script will rename the files accordingly.

Using PowerShell for Batch Renaming

PowerShell is another powerful tool for batch renaming files:

Open PowerShell and navigate to the folder containing the files you want to rename.

Copy and paste the PowerShell command, replacing the NewName- placeholder with the new file name prefix.

$prefix = "NewName-"; $files = Get-ChildItem *.*; $count = $files.Count; $digits = $count.ToString().Length; $i = 1; $files | ForEach-Object { Rename-Item $_.FullName ("{0}{1:D$digits}{2}" -f $prefix, $i, $_.Extension); $i++ }

Press Enter, and the files will be renamed.

Advanced Renaming with Third-Party Software

If you need even more control over the renaming process, consider using a third-party file renaming tool like Advanced Rename. This free and user-friendly software offers a wide range of features, including:

Ability to add dates, incremental numbers, and other dynamic information to file names
Preview of the new file names before committing the changes
Handling of file extensions and error detection
Integration with the Windows context menu for easy access

To use Advanced Rename, follow the steps outlined in the video:

Download and install the software.

You can download Advanced Renamer from advancedrenamer.com

After installation we need to configure the context menu:

Open Advanced Renamer
Go to “Settings”
Navigate to “Environment”
Check “Explorer Context Menu”

Using Advanced Renamer

Select the files you want to rename, right-click, and choose “Add to Advanced Rename.”
Click the green icon below and choose “New Name”
Type the new name, and an incrementing number
Customize the new file names using the tool’s various options.
Click “Start Batch” then “Start” to rename the files.

Advanced Rename provides a more comprehensive solution for batch file renaming, making it a great choice for users who need more advanced features and flexibility.

Conclusion

The techniques covered in this guide, from Windows tools to advanced software, empower you to efficiently rename and manage your files. Implement these best practices to declutter your digital assets and boost your productivity. A streamlined file management system is just a batch rename away.