Renaming batch files using Windows command prompt is much more flexible, and the good thing about using this method is that you can also change extensions of those files. First off, let us see how to rename batch files without changing the extension. 1.Open the folder that contains the files to be renamed. File Renamer makes it easy to rename large number of files in in a few clicks. Have a large picture library and wished files were called something more descriptive than DSCsomething.jpg? File Renamer gets the job done without wasting hours. File Renamer values your privacy and does not send any data on the internet. FocusOn Renamer has many built-in templates that are handy to rename files quickly. You can use them to remove numbers or letters from file names. Suffix options include adding a sequence number (increments by 1), file size in bytes or KB, the folder the files are stored in, date modified, time modified, current date or current time. IMG Renamer 6.0.6 Renamer is a batch file renaming app for macOS that allows you to rename lots of files quickly and conveniently. You'll love the. The best batch file renamer just got a whole lot better with Renamer 6. Renamer is a batch file renaming app for macOS that allows you to rename lots of files quickly and conveniently. You'll love the beautiful user interface, the useful new enhancements that make batch file renaming even easier, and of course the many ways to rename files.
Wondering why would you need a file renaming software? A file renaming software is especially useful for people in the profession of writing, photography, designing, or simply someone who handles a lot of files in a day. Given that manually renaming files can be taxing, these tools can be really useful.
Batch Rename File Extensions
While you can easily batch name files or folders in Windows by selecting them all and then pressing the F2 key on your keyboard. By doing this, a number of files and folders will be automatically added to make the name special.
However, you need a lot more control on in what way you want to rename your files in batch. For example, you may want to add a few words at the end or start of the file names, or you may even want to delete a specific number of characters from all the file names. Despite your requirement, using a good file rename software is a must. Here we have a list of file rename software for Windows.
Bulk Rename Utility
Bulk Rename Utility is one of the most popular file renaming programs in the list for Windows. It can easily suffice your daily batch renaming requirements with ease. While the home screen can be a bit complex for beginners, it becomes really easy to use once you get a hold of it.
The program comes with all the features you need, despite your renaming requirements. Among its major features are:
- Adding, deleting, or changing text in the file names;
- Changing the letter cases for filenames;
- Appending or Prepending text to filenames;
- Deleting words, digits, characters, or symbols;
- Revising extensions;
- Copying the files or moving them, and
- Supporting usual expressions.
The best part about the program is that it superfast. Moreover, it’s available in both installable and portable versions. The installation version adds a right-click context menu item that helps rename fast.
Price: Free for personal use; Starts from $49.95 for 6+ computers for business use.
Flexible Renamer
Flexible Renamer is another great renaming app that comes with multiple options like renaming with the help of tags (ID3, Exif, etc.), numbering files, using wildcards or usual expressions, walking an order of folders, offering presets for regular renaming tasks (deleting parentheses), and more. What’s interesting is, the preview feature eliminates errors, and notifies of naming any disputes.
Amongs its other important features are, ability to rename using ID3 music, IPTC, DOC, HTML tags, and Exif, ability to write scripts in VBScript or in Jscript for complicated renaming functions, lightweight and free of cost with no requirement to install, ability to add context menu to Windows Explorer for renaming files in selected folders, and availability in multiple translations (English, French, Japanese, German, and Spanish).
Price: Free
File Renamer Basic
If you are looking for a file renaming software that can effectively rename several files and images, then file renamer basic can be your best bet. It comes with a perfect interface that features file listing and a directory tree.
Some of its major features are:
- Supporting usual expressions like EXIF, ID3 v1, and ID3 v2. stored profiles for repeated tasks, renaming lists, and editing tags.
- Outstanding help files.
- Free license with limited features.
- A well-designed interface.
- A perfect file for renaming.
Price: Free
Advanced Renamer
Advanced Renamer is a great and effective batch renaming tool that comes packed with fourteen different renaming functions. The best part about the tool is that it’s free of cost and lightweight. In addition, it features a good-looking interface and helps rename several files and folders with renaming techniques.
While the interface may seem a bit complex at the start for the beginners, but it gets easier as you keep working with it. Among its major features are:
- Eliminating selected sections of the file name;
- Renaming using tags;
- Changing/Revising file attributes and time stamp;
- Renumbering the files;
- Creating custom batch strips.
That’s not all, as the program also allows you to rename files based on the extracted data from target files like the GPS information, TV show air date from downloaded videos, and so on. It allows you to create different types of distinct techniques to suffice your requirements, using the custom batch scripting feature.
Price: Free for personal use (limited); Upgrade starts from $20.
PFrank
PFrank is also known for its several advanced features just like the other similar tools. Among its major features are the option to rename files based on tags, changing file properties and timestamps, classification of renaming benchmark, and more.
Additionally, the program also aids regular expressions for more complex renaming requirements. The program, indeed comes with some pre-set regular expressions, and if it requires, you can easily change them based on your needs.
It’s an advanced file renaming software and so, comes with a steep learning curve with a perplexing user-interface. But, if you can ignore the complicated interface and some technical names, then this app can be best suited for you
Price: Free
Renamer
Renamer provides quite a few ways to modify the names of files and folders in batches and quickly. It offers a helpful approach which makes it easier to rename or change the names of multiple files.
On launching the app, you will be asked to take a tour of the Quick, Guide. It gives you a clear view of the app’s interface that’s small and divided into two main portions, one that creates a rule and the other one for dragging the files to be renamed.
There are 14 rule categories that includes features like Insert, Delete, and Rearrange. On clicking, a new window will open with check boxes and radio buttons, making the entire process a cake-walk. Among its major advantages are that it works quickly, comes with options like Prefix, Suffix, and After Text, options to re-arrange file names and removing characters, and more.
Price: Free
Metamorphose 2
Metamorphose 2 Beta is a complex, yet efficient file renaming software for Windows. Among its major features are:
- Ability to rename files and folders at the same time;
- Ability to undo any operation;
- Use of regular expressions;
- Ability to read metadata for instance, ID3 and EXIF tags.
- Helps you modify the length of names;
- Helps you modify the case of file names in different ways;
- Supports a large number of languages and platforms.
Price: Free
Siren
If you are looking for an advanced batch file renaming tool, then Siren can be your best bet. While it features all the basic renaming options, the program also has the ability to use the information from file properties so that you can rename the files accordingly. The software is also compatible with command line interface for those who are into such things.
Although the app comes with pre-configured modes, tags, and expressions, it takes time to get a hang of the app. Best of all, the software is portable and so, it does not require installation. You can start using it right away. But, the only downside is the developer is working no more on this app and despite that the app is still working great on Windows 7 and Windows 10 systems.
Price: Free
Rename-It!
Rename-It! is another great file renaming tool that helps you rename a large number of files in seconds and what’s more? It does it in one single transaction so that if in case of any failure, it doesn’t rename anything at all. This free and open source app can modify file’s directory or rename the complete path to the file.
What’s interesting is, it can create number series, for example, you can ask it to rename an image with Image1, Image2, Image3, and so on. Moreover, it places itself in the Explorer context menu. It also allows you to create a script from the CLI so, it carries out the renaming function and gives back the correct exit code. It can also use RegExp apart from wildcards and string replacements.
Price: Free version available; Upgrade starts from $7
Rename Master
If you are looking for a file renaming software, then Rename Master can be perfect for you. You can easily rename files, folders, documents, images, or videos. Some of its major features are:
- Providing support for ID3 tags, regular expressions, scripts, and EXIF tags;
- Smart number scoring;
- Renaming files and folders;
- Option to preview automatically;
- Option to create custom file list columns;
- Option to rename for scanning subfolder;
- Providing entire Unicode filename support;
- Portable, so do not need to be installed.
Price: Free
Easy File Renamer
Easy File Renamer helps you rename folders and files effortlessly on your system by creating a custom template in simply a few steps using this responsive app. It’s an easy to use app that comes with cloud feature to rename files on Goggle Drive.
Although it does not come with a standalone interface, it can be accessed from the Windows Explorer’s context menu. Thus, it helps you modify a file’s name by selecting them in the standard manner from the Explorer, defining the criteria, and then clicking the rename option.
Despite the absence of a User Interface, it allows you to set your criteria for the pending files from the Dialog box. Simply put, it allows you to sort files according to names and ranking, and mention as the enumeration begins.
Price: Free
Wild Rename
Wild Rename is one of the straightforward file renaming apps around for Windows. It’s multi-file renaming program with a simple user interface that helps you build and carry out file renaming operations either one at a time, or in batches. Some of its major features include:
- Converting file names to lower case or upper case or normalized case for instance, first letter capitalized.
- It can carry out tasks with the help of regular expressions;
- Helps you to add or delete strings of characters from filenames;
- Puts back strings of characters in file names with the help of either simple alternatives, or with strong regular expressions;
- Portable, and so, does not need to be installed;
- Helps add text counters to a series of files.
Price: Free
FlashRenamer
Flash Renamer is a file renaming software for Windows that comes with a clean formatted interface featuring a preview pane displaying the selected files and folders. It lets you browse, look up, select files for free. You can also view which files are creating a mess using the optional thumbnails. Easy to define presets automatically insert conditions to specific files as they are saved, for example, storing MP3 names in Artist-Title format.
it also features a Music button that offers you several options simply for managing MP3 titles. You can also use the “Undo” button to return before an error cannot be rectified anymore. The app opens and runs smoothly.
You will need to press the Escape button to end the existing process and go back to the last screen while loading thumbnails or large number of files. It can also cleanup files and folders, while implementing preset conditions help you keep things clean and arranged.
Price: Free trial available; Upgrade available at $19.95
Ant Renamer
Ant Renamer is again a great file renaming software that helps you to rename your files effectively. Among its major features are, providing support to ID 3 v 1, regular expressions, and EXIF tags, and ability to change the names from an imported file.
Price: Free
1-4a Rename
1-4a Rename is a basic file renaming software that’s perfect for daily use. Although a simple software, it’s one of the most powerful renaming tools that renames files at once. It comes with features like “Undo” function, ability to preview modifications instantly, offers STAR TREK startdate or startime, supports multiple image formats like .jpg, .mp3, digital camera files, etc., fast with even several files, performs in networks and with subdirectories, and much more.
Price: Free
Renaming files and folders, or images can be a time-consuming affair with Windows alone, so getting a file renaming software will not just cut down on that added time, but also equip you with added and advanced features.
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Batch renaming is a form of batch processing used to rename multiple computer files and folders in an automated fashion, in order to save time and reduce the amount of work involved. Some sort of software is required to do this. Such software can be more or less advanced, but most have the same basic functions.
Batch renaming can also be referred to as 'mass file renaming', rename 'en masse' and 'bulk renaming'.
Common functions[edit]
Most batch renamers share a basic set of functions to manipulate the filenames:
- Find a string within the filename and replace it with another, or remove it.
- Setting the capitalization of the letters in the filenames.
- Extracting information from the files, such as Mp3ID3 tags, and putting it in the filename.
- Add a number sequence (001,002,003,..) to a list of files.
- Use a text file as a source for new file names.
Some batch rename software can do more than just renaming filenames. Features include changing the dates of files and changing the file attributes (such as the write protected attribute).
Common uses[edit]
There are many situations where batch renaming software can be useful. Here is a list of some common uses:
- Many digital cameras store images using a base filename, such as DCSN0001 or IMG0001. Using a batch renamer the photographer can easily give the pictures meaningful names.
- When downloading files from the Internet such as mp3 music, the files often have crude names. A batch renamer can be used to quickly change the filenames to a style that suits the person who downloaded them.
- When managing large amount of files, such as a picture database, a batch renamer is more or less essential for the task of maintaining filenames without too much manual labour.
- When authoring music files onto a CD/DVD or transferring the files to a digital audio player, a batch renamer can be used to listen to songs in desired order.
- When uploading files to a web server or transferring the files to an environment that does not support space or non-English characters in filenames, a batch renamer can be used to substitute such characters with acceptable ones.
Problems[edit]
There are a few problems to take in consideration when renaming a file list.
(→ means: renamed to)
(→ means: renamed to)
- Detecting that the target filename already exist.
file01 → file02 (file02 already exists in file-system)
- Detecting that the target filename is already used.
file01 → file03
file02 → file03 (file03 is already used)
file02 → file03 (file03 is already used)
- Detecting cycle renaming (Solved by a two-pass renaming).
file01 → file02 (file02 already exists in file-system)
file02 → file03 (file03 already exists in file-system)
file03 → file01 (file01 already exists in file-system)
file02 → file03 (file03 already exists in file-system)
file03 → file01 (file01 already exists in file-system)
Two-pass renaming[edit]
Two-pass renaming uses a temporary filename (that doesn't exist in file-system) as shown below.
(→ means: renamed to) Gamepedia 6 0 1 – catalog video and computer games.
(→ means: renamed to) Gamepedia 6 0 1 – catalog video and computer games.
- First pass
file01 → file01_AAAAA
file02 → file02_AAAAB
file03 → file03_AAAAC
file02 → file02_AAAAB
file03 → file03_AAAAC
- Second pass
file01_AAAAA → file02
file02_AAAAB → file03
file03_AAAAC → file01
file02_AAAAB → file03
file03_AAAAC → file01
It solves the cycle renaming problem.
If this approach is to be used care should be taken not to exceed any filename length limits during the rename, and also that the temporary names do not clash with any existing files.
List of software[edit]
This is a list of notable batch renaming programs in the form of a comparison table.
Name | License | Windows | Mac OS X | Linux | BSD/FreeBSD | Unix-like |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Advanced Renamer | Free for non-commercial use | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Ant Renamer[1] | Free GNU General Public License v3 | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Aperture | Commercial | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Automator | Free with OS X | No | Yes | No | No | No |
File Rename Utility[2] | Free | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Bulk Rename Utility[3] | Free for non-commercial use | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Chrono Namer[4] | Free | Yes | No | No | No | No |
CRAX Commander[5] | Commercial | No | Yes | No | No | No |
Easy File Renamer[6] | Commercial | Yes | No | No | No | No |
ExifRenamer[7] | Free | No | Yes | No | No | No |
GNOME Commander | Free, GNU General Public License | Yes (via Cygwin) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
GPRename | Free, GNU General Public License v3 | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
KRename | Free, GNU General Public License v2 | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Métamorphose | Free, GNU General Public License v3 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
AlgoLogic Batch File Renamer | Commercial | Yes | No | No | No | No |
ImBatch[8] | Free for non-commercial use | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Thunar (bulk renamer)[9] | Free, GNU General Public License v2+ | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Unreal Commander | Free | Yes | No | No | No | No |
Vi move (vimv)[10] | Free, GNU General Public License v3+ | Yes (via Cygwin) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Vifm[11] | Free, GNU General Public License v2+ | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Namagic[12] | Commercial | No | Yes | No | No | No |
rename[13] | Free, GPL | No | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes |
rnm[14] | Free, GPL-3+ | No | Yes | Yes | -- | Yes |
Rename File In Bat File
See also[edit]
Footnotes[edit]
- ^'Ant Renamer'. antp.be.
- ^'Introduction – File Rename Utility'. www.filerenameutility.co.uk.
- ^'Introduction – Bulk Rename Utility'. www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk.
- ^http://chrononamer.com/
- ^'CRAX Commander'. crax.soft4u2.com.
- ^https://easyfilerenamer.com/
- ^Robl, Stefan. 'qdev.de – ExifRenamer'. www.qdev.de.
- ^'ImBatch – The Best in Batch Image Processing – High Motion Software'. www.highmotionsoftware.com.
- ^'xfce:thunar:bulk-renamer:start [Xfce Docs]'. docs.xfce.org.
- ^Maeder, Ivan (26 April 2017). 'vimv: Rename a list of files using a text editor' – via GitHub.
- ^http://wiki.vifm.info/
- ^'Namagic – Batch renaming reloaded for Mac OS X'. www.namagicapp.com.
- ^'rename(1): Rename files – Linux man page'. linux.die.net.
- ^Hamid, Md Jahidul (15 June 2017). 'rnm: Unix tool: Bulk Rename Utility' – via GitHub.
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