Files you create can be saved by default. If you do not give your files a custom name or use a feature that saves files automatically without asking a user to set a name, those files will be saved with generic names. Microsoft Word files, for example, all save with the name Document 1, Document 2, Document 3 etc., while saving on-screen resources with a generic name such as Screenshot with date and time saved acceptance of the foot. If you want to rename a large number of files, much the same pattern, you can use the large Windows 10 renaming utility.
Convenient big Windows 10 rename
Windows 10 comes with a great renaming utility for files and folders. It is not as rich as third party file renaming tools but for basic file renaming, it will do the job.
Rename multiple files & folders – File Explorer
To rename multiple files and folders, they must be in the same folder. If you haven’t already, move everything to one folder.
- Select all files and folders.
- Press the F2 key or click the Rename button on the Home tab on the ribbon.
- One of the filenames or folder names will be edited.
- Please enter a new name.
- Tap on Enter.
- All files and folders will be renamed with a number added to prevent duplicate filenames.
Rename multiple files & folders – Command Prompt
The Command Prompt can also be used to significantly rename files and folders. Again, you should have everything in one folder. Renaming files will make it much easier.
- Open Command Prompt (performs normal user rights if the user can only administer the folder you are renaming).
- Use this command to navigate to the folder with the files you want to rename: cd Path to folder
- In Command Prompt, use the following command to rename files;
ren *.FileExtension FileName.*
- Replace FileExtension with the extension of the files you want to rename.
- Replace FileName with the name you want to render all the files.
Command Prompt is a powerful renaming tool and you can use wildcards to change the names you give files. The following command allows you to hold the first three characters of the original file name (one query mark represents one character from the beginning of the name.
ren *.FileExtension ???-FileName.*
You can also use a wildcard to change only part of a file name but in bulk. For example, you can remove all IMG references from a bunch of screenshots and keep everything else. The stars will know vividly which part should be kept and which place (that is their job). Make sure you enter the correct name to remove and that you have something to replace
ren RemoveFileNamePart *. * NewFileNamePart *. *
Conclusion
Command Prompt is a powerful tool for renaming files and folders but it is not easy to use. Documentation is available for how the various wildcards work. If you are learning to use Command Prompt as a rename tool, it is a good idea to start with a small number of files (3-4) so that you can see the difference that a command makes before you go ahead. proceed to rename more files. If you don’t like using a command line tool, there are third-party tools with a GUI for renaming files extensively.
The post Demonstrated how to use the great Windows 10 renaming utility for files & folders first on TechtricksNg.