(Credit: René Ramos)
Here's the dilemma: You're stuck with dozens (or hundreds) of files in Windows that have awkward names. This typically happens with photos shot on a smartphone and then transferred to your computer, resulting in names like IMG1001 or Screenshot_20240517-133223. You’ll likely want to rename all these files so the names make sense, but you don't want to waste time by manually renaming each one individually.
Windows lets you rename multiple files at once, giving each one a sequential number to keep things in order. But you can accomplish even more with the Microsoft PowerToys PowerRename tool, which lets you add dates and times to filenames. You can also turn to the File Renamer third-party utility to tackle hundreds or thousands of files and change the filename or extension to whatever you wish. You can even preview the rename and undo it if things aren't quite right.
Rename in File Explorer
To rename multiple files in File Explorer, select all the items you want to rename, then press the F2 key. The name of the last file is highlighted. Type the new name you wish to give to every file, then press Enter. All the files you selected are christened with the same name but with a number in parentheses to make each filename unique.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)If you change your mind about the new name, press Ctrl-Z to undo your action, and your files will revert back to their original names. If you wish to rename additional files this way, select the new ones, press F2, and then type the name. The new files are given sequential numbers starting from where you previously left off, so there’s no conflict with duplicate names.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)Rename with PowerToys PowerRename
Need a more robust solution? PowerRename can do more. If you don't already have PowerToys on your PC, install it from the program's GitHub page or Microsoft Store. To access the program's settings, you'll need to double-click the PowerToys Settings icon in the System Tray. Select PowerRename and then make sure Enable PowerRename is turned on.
Open the Show PowerRename in drop-down menu and set it to Default and extended context menu to add PowerRename to the context menu in Windows. Leave Hide icon in context menu unchecked. To receive suggestions for names when searching for and replacing existing filenames, confirm that Enable auto-complete for the search and replace fields is enabled. Use the field below to set the maximum number of suggestions you receive; you can leave the default value at 10.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)Turn on Show recently used strings to see the last strings used for a search and replace. If you think you’ll need more than just the regular expressions used for search and replace, enable Use Boost library at the bottom of the settings page.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)Now when you need to rename multiple files, open File Explorer and select the items you want to change. Right-click on the selection and choose the PowerRename entry from the pop-up menu.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)In the right pane of PowerRename, confirm the files you wish to rename and make sure each one is checked. Check the box next to Use regular expressions. You then need to set up your search and replace strings.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)For this demonstration, let’s use photos with the IMG_xxxx naming scheme, with the xxxx representing a sequential number for each file. In the Search field, type IMG_. In PowerRename, a period is used as a variable representing a single character. So you would type four dots after the IMG_, as in IMG_.... and leave the extension as is.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)Click the Enumerate Items button above the Apply button to add sequential numbers in parentheses to the end of the filename. In our example, this would look like New York Yankee Game (1), New York Yankee Game (2), and so on.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)But PowerToys really shines by incorporating variables. Maybe you want to indicate the date each photo was taken. Use the $ sign to add variables, the letter M for month, the letter D for the day, and the letter Y for the year. The number of times you use the letter determines the exact format. Let’s say you want to use the two-digit value for the month and day, but the four-digit value for the year. You would type the replace string as New York Yankee Game $MM-$DD-$YYYY.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)Note that all the changes you’ve made to this point have not been applied yet. PowerRename previews the new names in the Renamed column while the original filename is still shown under the Original column. This way you can see if your syntax is correct or the new naming convention works for your needs. If all looks good, click the Apply button to officially rename the files. The new names will now appear in the Original column to indicate that the files have been renamed.
(Credit: PCMag / Microsoft)Use the File Renamer Utility
If you decide you need a third-party utility, you’ll find many options, both free and paid. One particularly useful program is File Renamer. While the original developer, Sherrod Computers, appears to be out of business, File Renamer can still be downloaded from CNET’s Download.com and Software Informer.
After installing File Renamer, open it and browse to the folder containing the files you wish to rename. You'll see that all files are already selected. From the Filename section at the bottom of the program, click the drop-down box and choose Custom Filename. Type the name you wish to give each file, then uncheck Include and select it again. The tool will show you a preview of the new filename.
(Credit: PCMag / Sherrod Computers)You can keep the dash as a separator between the main filename and the numbering scheme or type a different symbol or even a space. In the Unique Parameter section, you can add numbers, letters, or dates to the filename. If you have dozens of files (rather than thousands of them), change the mask from 0000 to 00 and keep the other criteria the same.
(Credit: PCMag / Sherrod Computers)Check the sample file name at the bottom of the window to make sure it matches your preference, then click on the Preview button to see the new name of each file. If you're happy with the name, click the Apply button to rename your files.
(Credit: PCMag / Sherrod Computers)All the selected files are renamed with a status that says Success. An Undo button lets you undo your rename, but this feature is only included in the Deluxe edition of File Renamer. Beyond File Renamer, other renaming programs worth considering include Advanced Renamer, Bulk Rename Utility, and Easy File Renamer.
(Credit: PCMag / Sherrod Computers)