Windows bulk rename middle filename via CLI?

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13















Original Files



File 15 - Example.txt
File 2 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 3 - Example.txt
File 4 - Example.txt
File 5 - Example.txt


Desired Output



File 15 - Example.txt
File 02 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 03 - Example.txt
File 04 - Example.txt
File 05 - Example.txt


Single file can be renamed easily with ren.



ren "File 2 - Example.txt" "File 02 - Example.txt"


Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?










share|improve this question



















  • 1





    Nice Free utility to make this type of task easy....bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

    – Moab
    Jan 3 at 14:11











  • I agree. I can name plenty of GUI based solutions for this, and wonder why the insistence on CLI

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 10:33











  • @Mawg, can u do scripting with those GUI tools?

    – Sabrina
    Jan 4 at 10:45











  • I could - using AutoIt - but would probably recommend against it :-) I just wondered if there was a hard requirement for CLI, and now it seems like there is. Thanks for clarifying

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 11:14















13















Original Files



File 15 - Example.txt
File 2 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 3 - Example.txt
File 4 - Example.txt
File 5 - Example.txt


Desired Output



File 15 - Example.txt
File 02 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 03 - Example.txt
File 04 - Example.txt
File 05 - Example.txt


Single file can be renamed easily with ren.



ren "File 2 - Example.txt" "File 02 - Example.txt"


Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?










share|improve this question



















  • 1





    Nice Free utility to make this type of task easy....bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

    – Moab
    Jan 3 at 14:11











  • I agree. I can name plenty of GUI based solutions for this, and wonder why the insistence on CLI

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 10:33











  • @Mawg, can u do scripting with those GUI tools?

    – Sabrina
    Jan 4 at 10:45











  • I could - using AutoIt - but would probably recommend against it :-) I just wondered if there was a hard requirement for CLI, and now it seems like there is. Thanks for clarifying

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 11:14













13












13








13


3






Original Files



File 15 - Example.txt
File 2 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 3 - Example.txt
File 4 - Example.txt
File 5 - Example.txt


Desired Output



File 15 - Example.txt
File 02 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 03 - Example.txt
File 04 - Example.txt
File 05 - Example.txt


Single file can be renamed easily with ren.



ren "File 2 - Example.txt" "File 02 - Example.txt"


Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?










share|improve this question
















Original Files



File 15 - Example.txt
File 2 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 3 - Example.txt
File 4 - Example.txt
File 5 - Example.txt


Desired Output



File 15 - Example.txt
File 02 - Example.txt
File 22 - Example.txt
File 03 - Example.txt
File 04 - Example.txt
File 05 - Example.txt


Single file can be renamed easily with ren.



ren "File 2 - Example.txt" "File 02 - Example.txt"


Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?







windows command-line batch-file rename






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Jan 3 at 14:54









LotPings

4,7661722




4,7661722










asked Jan 3 at 11:21









SabrinaSabrina

3991314




3991314







  • 1





    Nice Free utility to make this type of task easy....bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

    – Moab
    Jan 3 at 14:11











  • I agree. I can name plenty of GUI based solutions for this, and wonder why the insistence on CLI

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 10:33











  • @Mawg, can u do scripting with those GUI tools?

    – Sabrina
    Jan 4 at 10:45











  • I could - using AutoIt - but would probably recommend against it :-) I just wondered if there was a hard requirement for CLI, and now it seems like there is. Thanks for clarifying

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 11:14












  • 1





    Nice Free utility to make this type of task easy....bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

    – Moab
    Jan 3 at 14:11











  • I agree. I can name plenty of GUI based solutions for this, and wonder why the insistence on CLI

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 10:33











  • @Mawg, can u do scripting with those GUI tools?

    – Sabrina
    Jan 4 at 10:45











  • I could - using AutoIt - but would probably recommend against it :-) I just wondered if there was a hard requirement for CLI, and now it seems like there is. Thanks for clarifying

    – Mawg
    Jan 4 at 11:14







1




1





Nice Free utility to make this type of task easy....bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

– Moab
Jan 3 at 14:11





Nice Free utility to make this type of task easy....bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

– Moab
Jan 3 at 14:11













I agree. I can name plenty of GUI based solutions for this, and wonder why the insistence on CLI

– Mawg
Jan 4 at 10:33





I agree. I can name plenty of GUI based solutions for this, and wonder why the insistence on CLI

– Mawg
Jan 4 at 10:33













@Mawg, can u do scripting with those GUI tools?

– Sabrina
Jan 4 at 10:45





@Mawg, can u do scripting with those GUI tools?

– Sabrina
Jan 4 at 10:45













I could - using AutoIt - but would probably recommend against it :-) I just wondered if there was a hard requirement for CLI, and now it seems like there is. Thanks for clarifying

– Mawg
Jan 4 at 11:14





I could - using AutoIt - but would probably recommend against it :-) I just wondered if there was a hard requirement for CLI, and now it seems like there is. Thanks for clarifying

– Mawg
Jan 4 at 11:14










4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes


















13














Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?



Yes, but it requires a batch file.



test.cmd:



@echo off
setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
for /f "tokens=1,2,3,4" %%i in ('dir /b *Example.txt') do (
rem pad 2nd token with leading zero
set _num=0%%j
set _num=!_num:~-2!
ren "%%i %%j %%k %%l" "%%i !_num! %%k %%l"
)
endlocal


example:



> dir *Example.txt
Volume in drive F is Expansion
Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

Directory of F:testtest

03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 2 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 3 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 4 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 5 - Example.txt
6 File(s) 0 bytes
0 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free

> ..test

> dir
Volume in drive F is Expansion
Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

Directory of F:testtest

03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> .
03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> ..
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 02 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 03 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 04 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 05 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
6 File(s) 0 bytes
2 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free



Further Reading



  • An A-Z Index of the Windows CMD command line | SS64.com

  • Windows CMD Commands (categorized) - Windows CMD - SS64.com

  • Dir - list files and folders - Windows CMD - SS64.com

  • EnableDelayedExpansion - Windows CMD - SS64.com

  • For - Loop through command output - Windows CMD - SS64.com

  • variable substring - Windows CMD - SS64.com





share|improve this answer






























    17














    This PowerShell one liner will expand all numbers in the file name to two places .PadLeft(2,'0'):

    (and leave numbers with more places untouched)



    Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension


    to be on topic, wrapped in a cmd line/batch file:



    Powershell -Nop -C "Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension"


    To be on the safe side before executing the commands, append either




    • -Confirm which asks before doing a rename


    • -WhatIfwhich lists all renames it would execute without the parameter

    just in front of the last "






    share|improve this answer
































      3














      Edit: I've just noticed this question is specifically about renaming from the command line, so it does not answer the question directly... I'll keep it for now, hoping it will be useful for others.




      The Total Commander file manager has an excellent bulk rename tool. It includes many features, including rename preview, different rename masks, regular expressions, renaming files in entire folder hierarcy, and much more. At the same time, it is quite easy to use.



      Here's a screenshot for demonstrating its usage:



      Total Commander Multi Rename Example



      Step by step:




      1. Download and run Total Commander.

      2. Nativate to the folder with the files to rename.

      3. Mark the files to rename:

        • Option 1 - Ctrl + A for marking all files in the folder.

        • Option 2 - Mark files one by one, using the Space key or mouse right click.

        • Option 3 - Open "Find Files" (Alt + F7), type *.txt in the "Search for" box, click "Start Search", press "Feed to listbox", then mark the files with Ctrl + A.
          Use this technique if you want to rename files also in inner folders.


      4. Press Ctrl + M to open the Multi-Rename tool.

      5. Set the desired values in "Search for" and "Replace with" boxes. If using a regular expression, check the RegEx box.

      6. Hit "Start!".





      share|improve this answer
































        -2














        ren *.bat *.txt will work to rename extensions on all matching files retaining the other portion of the name. Could you not abuse this to run a sequence of ren commands?




        • ren "File *" "File 0*"

        • ren "File 00*" "File 0*"

        • (deal with dangling remainders like File 022 - Example.txt





        share|improve this answer


















        • 1





          This is NOT helpful, did you check what your command will do? 2->0, 22->02, 15->05.

          – LotPings
          Jan 3 at 17:22










        Your Answer








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        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes








        4 Answers
        4






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        13














        Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?



        Yes, but it requires a batch file.



        test.cmd:



        @echo off
        setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
        for /f "tokens=1,2,3,4" %%i in ('dir /b *Example.txt') do (
        rem pad 2nd token with leading zero
        set _num=0%%j
        set _num=!_num:~-2!
        ren "%%i %%j %%k %%l" "%%i !_num! %%k %%l"
        )
        endlocal


        example:



        > dir *Example.txt
        Volume in drive F is Expansion
        Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

        Directory of F:testtest

        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 2 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 3 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 4 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 5 - Example.txt
        6 File(s) 0 bytes
        0 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free

        > ..test

        > dir
        Volume in drive F is Expansion
        Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

        Directory of F:testtest

        03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> .
        03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> ..
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 02 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 03 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 04 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 05 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
        03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
        6 File(s) 0 bytes
        2 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free



        Further Reading



        • An A-Z Index of the Windows CMD command line | SS64.com

        • Windows CMD Commands (categorized) - Windows CMD - SS64.com

        • Dir - list files and folders - Windows CMD - SS64.com

        • EnableDelayedExpansion - Windows CMD - SS64.com

        • For - Loop through command output - Windows CMD - SS64.com

        • variable substring - Windows CMD - SS64.com





        share|improve this answer



























          13














          Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?



          Yes, but it requires a batch file.



          test.cmd:



          @echo off
          setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
          for /f "tokens=1,2,3,4" %%i in ('dir /b *Example.txt') do (
          rem pad 2nd token with leading zero
          set _num=0%%j
          set _num=!_num:~-2!
          ren "%%i %%j %%k %%l" "%%i !_num! %%k %%l"
          )
          endlocal


          example:



          > dir *Example.txt
          Volume in drive F is Expansion
          Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

          Directory of F:testtest

          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 2 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 3 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 4 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 5 - Example.txt
          6 File(s) 0 bytes
          0 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free

          > ..test

          > dir
          Volume in drive F is Expansion
          Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

          Directory of F:testtest

          03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> .
          03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> ..
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 02 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 03 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 04 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 05 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
          03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
          6 File(s) 0 bytes
          2 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free



          Further Reading



          • An A-Z Index of the Windows CMD command line | SS64.com

          • Windows CMD Commands (categorized) - Windows CMD - SS64.com

          • Dir - list files and folders - Windows CMD - SS64.com

          • EnableDelayedExpansion - Windows CMD - SS64.com

          • For - Loop through command output - Windows CMD - SS64.com

          • variable substring - Windows CMD - SS64.com





          share|improve this answer

























            13












            13








            13







            Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?



            Yes, but it requires a batch file.



            test.cmd:



            @echo off
            setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
            for /f "tokens=1,2,3,4" %%i in ('dir /b *Example.txt') do (
            rem pad 2nd token with leading zero
            set _num=0%%j
            set _num=!_num:~-2!
            ren "%%i %%j %%k %%l" "%%i !_num! %%k %%l"
            )
            endlocal


            example:



            > dir *Example.txt
            Volume in drive F is Expansion
            Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

            Directory of F:testtest

            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 2 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 3 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 4 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 5 - Example.txt
            6 File(s) 0 bytes
            0 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free

            > ..test

            > dir
            Volume in drive F is Expansion
            Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

            Directory of F:testtest

            03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> .
            03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> ..
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 02 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 03 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 04 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 05 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
            6 File(s) 0 bytes
            2 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free



            Further Reading



            • An A-Z Index of the Windows CMD command line | SS64.com

            • Windows CMD Commands (categorized) - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • Dir - list files and folders - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • EnableDelayedExpansion - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • For - Loop through command output - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • variable substring - Windows CMD - SS64.com





            share|improve this answer













            Would it be possible to bulk rename it with Windows ren or rename tool?



            Yes, but it requires a batch file.



            test.cmd:



            @echo off
            setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion
            for /f "tokens=1,2,3,4" %%i in ('dir /b *Example.txt') do (
            rem pad 2nd token with leading zero
            set _num=0%%j
            set _num=!_num:~-2!
            ren "%%i %%j %%k %%l" "%%i !_num! %%k %%l"
            )
            endlocal


            example:



            > dir *Example.txt
            Volume in drive F is Expansion
            Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

            Directory of F:testtest

            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 2 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 3 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 4 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 5 - Example.txt
            6 File(s) 0 bytes
            0 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free

            > ..test

            > dir
            Volume in drive F is Expansion
            Volume Serial Number is 3656-BB63

            Directory of F:testtest

            03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> .
            03/01/2019 11:54 <DIR> ..
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 02 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 03 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 04 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 05 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 15 - Example.txt
            03/01/2019 11:30 0 File 22 - Example.txt
            6 File(s) 0 bytes
            2 Dir(s) 1,075,134,230,528 bytes free



            Further Reading



            • An A-Z Index of the Windows CMD command line | SS64.com

            • Windows CMD Commands (categorized) - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • Dir - list files and folders - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • EnableDelayedExpansion - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • For - Loop through command output - Windows CMD - SS64.com

            • variable substring - Windows CMD - SS64.com






            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Jan 3 at 11:58









            DavidPostillDavidPostill

            104k25225260




            104k25225260























                17














                This PowerShell one liner will expand all numbers in the file name to two places .PadLeft(2,'0'):

                (and leave numbers with more places untouched)



                Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension


                to be on topic, wrapped in a cmd line/batch file:



                Powershell -Nop -C "Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension"


                To be on the safe side before executing the commands, append either




                • -Confirm which asks before doing a rename


                • -WhatIfwhich lists all renames it would execute without the parameter

                just in front of the last "






                share|improve this answer





























                  17














                  This PowerShell one liner will expand all numbers in the file name to two places .PadLeft(2,'0'):

                  (and leave numbers with more places untouched)



                  Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension


                  to be on topic, wrapped in a cmd line/batch file:



                  Powershell -Nop -C "Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension"


                  To be on the safe side before executing the commands, append either




                  • -Confirm which asks before doing a rename


                  • -WhatIfwhich lists all renames it would execute without the parameter

                  just in front of the last "






                  share|improve this answer



























                    17












                    17








                    17







                    This PowerShell one liner will expand all numbers in the file name to two places .PadLeft(2,'0'):

                    (and leave numbers with more places untouched)



                    Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension


                    to be on topic, wrapped in a cmd line/batch file:



                    Powershell -Nop -C "Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension"


                    To be on the safe side before executing the commands, append either




                    • -Confirm which asks before doing a rename


                    • -WhatIfwhich lists all renames it would execute without the parameter

                    just in front of the last "






                    share|improve this answer















                    This PowerShell one liner will expand all numbers in the file name to two places .PadLeft(2,'0'):

                    (and leave numbers with more places untouched)



                    Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension


                    to be on topic, wrapped in a cmd line/batch file:



                    Powershell -Nop -C "Get-ChildItem *[0-9]*.txt|Rename-Item -NewName ([regex]::Replace($_.BaseName,'d+',$args[0].Value.PadLeft(2,'0')))+$_.Extension"


                    To be on the safe side before executing the commands, append either




                    • -Confirm which asks before doing a rename


                    • -WhatIfwhich lists all renames it would execute without the parameter

                    just in front of the last "







                    share|improve this answer














                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer








                    edited Jan 4 at 13:30

























                    answered Jan 3 at 13:23









                    LotPingsLotPings

                    4,7661722




                    4,7661722





















                        3














                        Edit: I've just noticed this question is specifically about renaming from the command line, so it does not answer the question directly... I'll keep it for now, hoping it will be useful for others.




                        The Total Commander file manager has an excellent bulk rename tool. It includes many features, including rename preview, different rename masks, regular expressions, renaming files in entire folder hierarcy, and much more. At the same time, it is quite easy to use.



                        Here's a screenshot for demonstrating its usage:



                        Total Commander Multi Rename Example



                        Step by step:




                        1. Download and run Total Commander.

                        2. Nativate to the folder with the files to rename.

                        3. Mark the files to rename:

                          • Option 1 - Ctrl + A for marking all files in the folder.

                          • Option 2 - Mark files one by one, using the Space key or mouse right click.

                          • Option 3 - Open "Find Files" (Alt + F7), type *.txt in the "Search for" box, click "Start Search", press "Feed to listbox", then mark the files with Ctrl + A.
                            Use this technique if you want to rename files also in inner folders.


                        4. Press Ctrl + M to open the Multi-Rename tool.

                        5. Set the desired values in "Search for" and "Replace with" boxes. If using a regular expression, check the RegEx box.

                        6. Hit "Start!".





                        share|improve this answer





























                          3














                          Edit: I've just noticed this question is specifically about renaming from the command line, so it does not answer the question directly... I'll keep it for now, hoping it will be useful for others.




                          The Total Commander file manager has an excellent bulk rename tool. It includes many features, including rename preview, different rename masks, regular expressions, renaming files in entire folder hierarcy, and much more. At the same time, it is quite easy to use.



                          Here's a screenshot for demonstrating its usage:



                          Total Commander Multi Rename Example



                          Step by step:




                          1. Download and run Total Commander.

                          2. Nativate to the folder with the files to rename.

                          3. Mark the files to rename:

                            • Option 1 - Ctrl + A for marking all files in the folder.

                            • Option 2 - Mark files one by one, using the Space key or mouse right click.

                            • Option 3 - Open "Find Files" (Alt + F7), type *.txt in the "Search for" box, click "Start Search", press "Feed to listbox", then mark the files with Ctrl + A.
                              Use this technique if you want to rename files also in inner folders.


                          4. Press Ctrl + M to open the Multi-Rename tool.

                          5. Set the desired values in "Search for" and "Replace with" boxes. If using a regular expression, check the RegEx box.

                          6. Hit "Start!".





                          share|improve this answer



























                            3












                            3








                            3







                            Edit: I've just noticed this question is specifically about renaming from the command line, so it does not answer the question directly... I'll keep it for now, hoping it will be useful for others.




                            The Total Commander file manager has an excellent bulk rename tool. It includes many features, including rename preview, different rename masks, regular expressions, renaming files in entire folder hierarcy, and much more. At the same time, it is quite easy to use.



                            Here's a screenshot for demonstrating its usage:



                            Total Commander Multi Rename Example



                            Step by step:




                            1. Download and run Total Commander.

                            2. Nativate to the folder with the files to rename.

                            3. Mark the files to rename:

                              • Option 1 - Ctrl + A for marking all files in the folder.

                              • Option 2 - Mark files one by one, using the Space key or mouse right click.

                              • Option 3 - Open "Find Files" (Alt + F7), type *.txt in the "Search for" box, click "Start Search", press "Feed to listbox", then mark the files with Ctrl + A.
                                Use this technique if you want to rename files also in inner folders.


                            4. Press Ctrl + M to open the Multi-Rename tool.

                            5. Set the desired values in "Search for" and "Replace with" boxes. If using a regular expression, check the RegEx box.

                            6. Hit "Start!".





                            share|improve this answer















                            Edit: I've just noticed this question is specifically about renaming from the command line, so it does not answer the question directly... I'll keep it for now, hoping it will be useful for others.




                            The Total Commander file manager has an excellent bulk rename tool. It includes many features, including rename preview, different rename masks, regular expressions, renaming files in entire folder hierarcy, and much more. At the same time, it is quite easy to use.



                            Here's a screenshot for demonstrating its usage:



                            Total Commander Multi Rename Example



                            Step by step:




                            1. Download and run Total Commander.

                            2. Nativate to the folder with the files to rename.

                            3. Mark the files to rename:

                              • Option 1 - Ctrl + A for marking all files in the folder.

                              • Option 2 - Mark files one by one, using the Space key or mouse right click.

                              • Option 3 - Open "Find Files" (Alt + F7), type *.txt in the "Search for" box, click "Start Search", press "Feed to listbox", then mark the files with Ctrl + A.
                                Use this technique if you want to rename files also in inner folders.


                            4. Press Ctrl + M to open the Multi-Rename tool.

                            5. Set the desired values in "Search for" and "Replace with" boxes. If using a regular expression, check the RegEx box.

                            6. Hit "Start!".






                            share|improve this answer














                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer








                            edited Jan 3 at 13:33

























                            answered Jan 3 at 13:28









                            valianovaliano

                            204110




                            204110





















                                -2














                                ren *.bat *.txt will work to rename extensions on all matching files retaining the other portion of the name. Could you not abuse this to run a sequence of ren commands?




                                • ren "File *" "File 0*"

                                • ren "File 00*" "File 0*"

                                • (deal with dangling remainders like File 022 - Example.txt





                                share|improve this answer


















                                • 1





                                  This is NOT helpful, did you check what your command will do? 2->0, 22->02, 15->05.

                                  – LotPings
                                  Jan 3 at 17:22















                                -2














                                ren *.bat *.txt will work to rename extensions on all matching files retaining the other portion of the name. Could you not abuse this to run a sequence of ren commands?




                                • ren "File *" "File 0*"

                                • ren "File 00*" "File 0*"

                                • (deal with dangling remainders like File 022 - Example.txt





                                share|improve this answer


















                                • 1





                                  This is NOT helpful, did you check what your command will do? 2->0, 22->02, 15->05.

                                  – LotPings
                                  Jan 3 at 17:22













                                -2












                                -2








                                -2







                                ren *.bat *.txt will work to rename extensions on all matching files retaining the other portion of the name. Could you not abuse this to run a sequence of ren commands?




                                • ren "File *" "File 0*"

                                • ren "File 00*" "File 0*"

                                • (deal with dangling remainders like File 022 - Example.txt





                                share|improve this answer













                                ren *.bat *.txt will work to rename extensions on all matching files retaining the other portion of the name. Could you not abuse this to run a sequence of ren commands?




                                • ren "File *" "File 0*"

                                • ren "File 00*" "File 0*"

                                • (deal with dangling remainders like File 022 - Example.txt






                                share|improve this answer












                                share|improve this answer



                                share|improve this answer










                                answered Jan 3 at 16:56









                                Douglas HeldDouglas Held

                                1374




                                1374







                                • 1





                                  This is NOT helpful, did you check what your command will do? 2->0, 22->02, 15->05.

                                  – LotPings
                                  Jan 3 at 17:22












                                • 1





                                  This is NOT helpful, did you check what your command will do? 2->0, 22->02, 15->05.

                                  – LotPings
                                  Jan 3 at 17:22







                                1




                                1





                                This is NOT helpful, did you check what your command will do? 2->0, 22->02, 15->05.

                                – LotPings
                                Jan 3 at 17:22





                                This is NOT helpful, did you check what your command will do? 2->0, 22->02, 15->05.

                                – LotPings
                                Jan 3 at 17:22

















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