We can use the command rename to rename files from windows command prompt(CMD). Find below syntax of the command with examples.
Syntax of rename command:
rename file_path new_name
Example:
rename d:\data\file1.doc file2.doc
After executing the above command we’ll have file2.doc in the folder d:\data
Ren is alias for rename, so both refer to the same command.
Errors:
- If the files is being used by a program, then rename command fails with below error.
C:\>rename data.xlsx newdata.xlsx The process cannot access the file because it is being used by another process. C:\>
- You also need to have sufficient privileges to rename the file.
c:\>rename c:\windows\csc test Access is denied. c:\>
- Rename changes just the file name, it does not convert a file from one type to another. For example, if you rename a file from
mp4tomp3extension, it does not change the file format. Renaming a doc file'mydocument.docx'to'mydocument.pdf'does not make the file readable in Acrobat Reader.
More Reading
Rename file extensions in batch from command prompt
Does the command have to be executed in the root directory, or can it be done in a subdirectory that is in the root directory? Also, can a directory be renamed (EXAMPLE: renaming Dell.dir to Newname.dir)?
yes, you can run the command (for that matter, any other windows command) from any folder, it need not be root folder. And yes, ren works for directories too. There’s a separate post for this – http://www.windows-commandline.com/rename-directory-from-command-line/
this command gives repeating of filename when there are more then 40 files in the folders ?
any solution for renaming 100s of file ???
i have
4299999940_M_harsha.png these type of files in several sub folders, with similar name structure(42 as first part of name, 40_M_harsha as last part of name.. in between 6digits(which may contain 42 and 40 also.in this example it has 999999))
i have to rename it as 99999..i.e, remove first and last part of file name which is common for all files in the subfolder
another examples:
4292345640_M_harsha.png -> 923456
4291424040_M_harsha.png -> 914240
could u please help
how do I rename a file by keeping the last 20 characters. I have random file names however the last 20 characters are what I want to keep. They are dates and a document ID.
filename too long cannot rename Please now setup new rename
I use, Batch Rename Files Tool. You can easily found hier BatchRenameFiles.org that allows you to quickly rename all the files in a specified directory.
Simple stuff. Been there and done that but I have a mess of files that contain a “%20” or several in the filename. I need help to sort this out. My REXX program has produced a batch file containing lines like these:
ren “CORN%2~1.JPG” corn_escaLator.jpg
ren “CHOCO%~1.JPG” choco_Lady.jpg
ren “CAT%20~4.JPG” cat_wet_getting_bathed.jpg
ren “CAT%20~3.JPG” cat_burrito.jpg
ren “CAT%20~2.JPG” cat_bra.jpg
ren “CAT%20~1.JPG” cat_bite_nose.jpg
ren “BOOTY%~1.JPG” booty_cake.jpg
ren “BIRD%2~2.JPG” bird_watersLide.jpg
ren “BIRD%2~1.JPG” bird_mouth_dog.jpg
ren “BIG%20~1.JPG” big_mac.jpg
ren “BANK%2~1.JPG” bank_cake.jpg
ren “ANGEL%~1.JPG” angeL_of_war.jpg
Suffice to say it isn’t working as intended. I get tons of
“The system cannot find the file specified.” messages.
I prefer not to use the powershell whether I have it or not in case I need to run this in a more primitive Windows. I have tried rename instead of ren and without double quotes. I have administrator privileges.
I am running Windows7 32-bit.
GOOD, IT WORKED FOR ME
I use windows 10, and I did the steps, even in the location but it ‘couldn’t find the file specified.’ Please help.
I have a lot of files with the same date stamp in which I wish to eliminate.
Can I use * to find and replace this using the replace command?
An example is 172794 (2021_10_09 09_36_16 UTC).xls
Yes, * would work for this case. If you need to delete such files in the current directory
del “*2021_10_09 09_36_16 UTC.xls”
Thanks for explanation
I did this to multiple file by setting the command in excel file first, then I copied all to the CMD.
But though all the files names were changed – I couldn’t open them!
Just after renaming them again manually they were opened.
Do you know why it happened, please? (excel files)