How to Rename Multiple or A Series of Files in Windows Vista
If you have multiple files, or a series of files that you want to rename the filename to a name with same common pattern differentiated by just the numbering, Windows Vista itself provides an easy way to rename the files, by using just the Windows Explorer (you may known it as Computer, Documents, Pictures or Musics).
How to Rename Multiple Files in Windows Vista with Windows Explorer
In Windows Explorer folder, select a few files that you would like to rename. You can press and hold CTRL key while click on each of the files that you want to select multiple files. In your files are listed in successive order, simply highlight the first file, hold down the SHIFT key, and the click on the last file in the batch to select all files between them.
Once the files are selected, right click on any one of the files, and select “Rename”. Or simply press F2. Type in a new base name that you want to use, press ENTER when done. The files will then be renamed to the same name you typed with a number in parentheses appended to the end of the name to make up a unique name for each file, i.e. NEWFILENAME (x), with x starting from 1 and running consecutively till every document is named. Extension is not affected
Revert Renaming Files
If you accidentally rename files wrongly, or don’t feel like the naming convention done by Windows Vista, press CTRL+Z keyboard shortcut to undo the rename change. Alternatively, click on “Edit” menu, and select “Undo”.
Related Articles
- Download Bulk Rename Utility To Rename Files Easily
- Fix Vista Unable to Rename or Move Files and Folders Issues After Applying KB938979 Patch
- Caterpixer – Rename and Copy Files to Different Folder
- Download Music Files Tag Editor Tag&Rename 3.5 Beta 5
- Rename “Windows PC 2″ Computer Name in Windows Mobile Device Center (WMDC)
- Show Encrypt and Decrypt Files in Right Click Shortcut Menu in Windows Vista
- Upload (mput) and Download (mget) Multiple Files Automatically in FTP Transfer
- Ways to Search for Files and Documents in Windows Vista
- Instant File Opener – Open Multiple Files Simultaneously When Windows Starts Up
- Easy Solution to Unable to Find Downloaded or Created Compatibility Files in Windows Vista
Entries (RSS)
November 8th, 2009 10:25
Sorry, should be Microsoft Office Picture Manager (not Viewer).
November 8th, 2009 10:15
No one mentioned, for photos at least, the possibility of batch renaming with Microsoft Office Picture Viewer. At least it lets you choose the number of digits in the added number (so “image10″ does not preceed “image2″). No more messing up the order, if that is the problem for some of you here.
October 20th, 2009 00:32
great tip was very helpful
cheers !
December 18th, 2008 05:21
i used the complex method at variableghz.com listed above, that seemed to work pretty well. reliable.
-E
November 30th, 2008 06:01
[...] x86, x64); or winautomation which is not freeware. You could also highlight all the files in Explorer and hit F2, rename the first file and then hit enter, however I don’t prefer this [...]
September 5th, 2008 02:03
I have the same idiotic problem with Vista Batch Rename.
August 26th, 2008 07:22
This doesn’t work in Vista for me, either. I do either vids, or photos and it always messes up the order, that I want them in.
August 21st, 2008 12:42
Thanks for the info. If anybody knows how to rename files from an imported text list, please post a comment. Thats what I was looking to do. I mean rename like 20 files at once, but rename them with words in a list, not just a different number after each file.
May 20th, 2007 03:25
That’s the same way I used to rename files in Windows XP
BUT
There is something different with Windows Vista in this process. And I don’t like it.
If you have pictures and videos mixed in the same folder, then by following your instructions to rename all files, windows Vista brreaks the consecutive organization of the files by moving all *.AVI files to the top and the rest of the *.JPG files to the bottom!!!
That drives me crazy, because I like to play a slideshow of my pictures and videos in the same order as they were shot.
Do the same with Windows XP. You won’t have the same results. Any suggestion about correcting that problem?