For most people, renaming files one by one is not convenient. That is why the need to mass rename files on Windows is very handy. It will help you rename as many files as possible in one simple and single attempt. This will help to save a lot of time.
In this article, we will see how we can accomplish this as simply as possible. We will also discover tools that we can use to get this done. We will also learn how you can do this using simple shortcuts using cmd to rename multiple files.
What tool can I use to rename files in bulk?
- PowerRename utility
- Bulk File Rename
- File Renamer X
- Batch File Rename
- NB Renamer
- Easy File Renamer
- Rename Master
- Bulk Rename Utility
- Metamorphose 2
- WildRename
- Advanced Renamer
- Flexible Renamer
These are among the many files renaming tools we have included here for your sampling. They will help to rename your files in one fell swoop.
How do I bulk rename files in Windows?
1. Rename via settings
- Press the Windows + E keys together to open File Explorer.
- Then open the folder which holds the files you want to rename.
- When the folder opens, press Ctrl + A to copy all the files in the folder, or hold the Ctrl key and click on the files with the mouse cursor on each file you want to rename.
- After that, right-click on any of the marked files and click on Rename in the list of options.
- Now enter the new name you desire for the files.
- After entering the new name, click Enter, and the system will change the file names accordingly.
2. Use File Explorer home menu to mass rename files Windows
- Press the Windows + E keys together to open File Explorer.
- Then open the folder which holds the files you want to rename.
- When the folder opens, press Ctrl + A to copy all the files in the folder, or hold the Ctrl key and click on the files with the mouse cursor on each file you want to rename.
- After that, click on any of the marked files and click on Rename in the list of options.
- Now enter the new name you desire for the files.
- After entering the new name, click Enter, and the system will change the file names accordingly.
3. Use Command prompt to mass rename files Windows
- Launch Start on your PC.
- Then search for Command Prompt and click the app to open the app.
- When it opens, navigate to the folder using the code sample below and press Enter:
cd path\to\files
- Then, enter the command sample below:
ren *.* ???????-test.*
4. Use PowerRename Utility
- Firstly, download and install the PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or the PowerToysSetup.exe file from the program’s GitHub page.
- Then, launch the PowerToys settings window by double-clicking the app’s System Tray icon.
- After that, select PowerRename and toggle the Enable PowerRename switch On.
- When you complete that, click the Show PowerRename in the drop-down menu and select the Default and extended context menu to add PowerRename to the context menu options in Windows.
- Also, toggle the switches to Enable auto-complete for the search and replace fields and Show recently used strings.
- When you want to rename several files simultaneously, open File Explorer and select the files you want to rename, right-click on the selected file, and click PowerRename from the options.
- On the PowerRename display, confirm the files you intend to rename by ensuring each one is checked and check the box for Use regular expressions also.
- Then, type four dots after the name of the file (for example IMG_….) and leave the extension unedited.
- Type the new file name into the Replace with filed and then click the Enumerate Items button just above the Apply button to include serial numbers in brackets to the end of the filename.
- In case you want to show the date of each file, use the $ sign to include variables, use the letter M for month, the letter D for the day, and the letter Y for the year.
- Finally, click on Apply to confirm the rename.
Is there a shortcut for renaming files in Windows 10?
There is a shortcut you can use to rename a file on Windows. The shortcut is to use the F2 key. The F2 key saves you the time of clicking for options and looking for suitable options.
However, it requires you to select the file(s) you want to rename, then tap the F2 key on the keyboard and enter the name you want to change the file to accordingly. That’s it! No big deal attached to using it.
In the final analysis, mass renaming multiple files on Windows 10 can take very few steps. This can be accomplished using any of the solutions explained above. Let us know in the comment session if you know how to do it better.
