HOW TO: Rename Multiple Files in WinXP with Windows Explorer

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 02 Jan 2007, 21:52

I've just come across this really handy Windows Explorer tip which saves having to look for third party programs:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320167

It works a treat.

The Command Prompt REN instructions don't work as described in the slightest and made a right mess of my filenames (thankfully I made a backup first). The Windows Explorer one works a treat.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 02 Jan 2007, 22:56

I've worked out what the DOS rename tool is doing but it's so illogical it will only cause trouble using it and to explain it would be a nightmare.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 02 Jan 2007, 23:52

Okaaaay? Why so complicated? Why on earth would you need third party programs. You just highlight the files you wanna rename, hit F2 and type in the filename you would like to have. Windows Explorer gives all the highlighted files the same title and adds +1 after each next file.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 02 Jan 2007, 23:56

thelostdragon wrote:Okaaaay? Why so complicated? Why on earth would you need third party programs.

Huh? I never said it was complicated, that's exactly my point. I never knew you could do that in Explorer and suspect others don't too, hence the heads up. No one's forcing you to use it

The Command Prompt version is completely illogical though, which is weird as otherwise it's a powerful tool.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:02

Oh, ok!

Why not even another thread about how to delete multiple files?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:04

Why not exactly. I've not come across a handy Microsoft KB tip for that is why.

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:08

KB tip?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:42

Knowledge Base:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320167

thelostdragon · Post by **thelostdragon** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:44

I see. Why would you need a KB tip for deleting a few files at once? Highlight them and hit the DEL button.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Jan 2007, 00:50

LOL well okay true. Is it you or me whose tired.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 03 Jan 2007, 01:03

Cheers Brad, I didn't know that. Hopefully all these Windows tricks that we know will still work on Vista running in dual-boot with OSX 10.5.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Jan 2007, 02:07

I reckon they will. I'm hoping Explorer will finally get an overhaul. It badly needs a "Skip All" function.

EvaUnit02 · Post by **EvaUnit02** » 03 Jan 2007, 13:51

bradavon wrote:I'm hoping Explorer will finally get an overhaul. It badly needs a "Skip All" function.

What?

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 03 Jan 2007, 19:00

Say you copy 10 files from A to B but 5 of them are already in B most file management programs have "Yes to All" as Explorer does but also "Skip All" so existing files are ignored.

It would save loads of time.