How to Easily Batch Rename Files on Windows 10

Renaming multiple files one by one is tedious. Whether you’re organizing photos, documents, or downloads, Windows 10 has built-in tools that let you rename files in bulk—no extra software needed.

Here’s a simple guide to batch renaming files quickly and efficiently.

Option 1: Use File Explorer’s Built-In Rename Tool

The easiest way to rename a group of files is directly in File Explorer. Here’s how:

Step-by-Step:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder with the files you want to rename.
2. Select all the files you want to rename.
   • Press Ctrl + A to select everything in the folder.
   • Or hold Ctrl and click each file you want.
3. Right-click one of the selected files, then choose Rename.
4. Type a new base name and press Enter.

Windows will automatically rename the rest using that name with numbers in parentheses:

Photo.jpg → Photo (1).jpg, Photo (2).jpg, etc.

✔️ Best for: Quick renames when you want all files to share the same base name.

Option 2: Use PowerRename (PowerToys)

For more control, Microsoft’s free PowerToys tool includes a feature called PowerRename.

Set It Up:

1. Download PowerToys from GitHub or the Microsoft Store.
2. Install and launch PowerToys.
3. Enable PowerRename under the “Utilities” section.

How to Use It:

1. Open File Explorer and select the files.
2. Right-click and choose PowerRename.
3. Use the search and replace fields to customize filenames.
   • You can use text patterns or even regular expressions.
4. Click Apply to rename all selected files.

✔️ Best for: Advanced renaming tasks, like changing extensions, adding prefixes/suffixes, or removing specific words.

Option 3: Use Command Prompt (Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable with the command line, you can use the ren or rename command in Command Prompt.

Example:

Open Command Prompt and navigate to the folder:

cd path\to\your\folder

To rename all .txt files to .md:

ren *.txt *.md

Or to add a prefix:

for %f in (*.jpg) do ren "%f" "Vacation_%f"

✔️ Best for: Power users who need precise control and automation.

Final Tips

• Preview first: Always double-check the file list before renaming.
• Undo is limited: File Explorer has no undo button after a rename. Consider copying files first if you’re unsure.
• Use consistent naming conventions: This makes searching and organizing easier later.

Wrapping Up

Batch renaming files on Windows 10 is easier than you might think. For basic tasks, File Explorer gets the job done fast. If you need more flexibility, PowerRename gives you serious control. And if you’re a command-line fan, Command Prompt has your back.

Organized files save time—so give these tools a try next time your folders look like chaos.

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