Last Updated : 27 Aug, 2024
Renaming files and folders is a basic yet essential task in managing your system’s organization. While this can easily be done through the graphical interface, knowing how to rename files and folders using CMD offers greater flexibility, especially when dealing with batch operations or when the graphical interface is inaccessible.
In this article, we will explore how to rename files in CMD as well as how to rename folders in CMD using simple command-line instructions.
Table of Content
- What is CMD?
- Steps to Rename Files and Folders Using CMD
- Step 1: Opening CMD
- Step 2: Getting to the Directory- using the ‘cd’ Command
- Step 3: Renaming Files and Folders – The ‘ren’ Command
- Step 4: Renaming Multiple Files – using Wildcard Characters
- Important Points to Remember
What is CMD?
CMD, short for Command Prompt, is the command-line interpreter application available in most Windows operating systems. It allows users to execute commands to perform tasks on their computers without using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). CMD provides a direct way to interact with the operating system by typing text commands, enabling users to run programs, manage files and directories, configure system settings, and troubleshoot various issues. It’s a powerful tool for advanced users, system administrators, and developers to automate tasks and perform system-level operations.
Steps to Rename Files and Folders Using CMD
Let’s go through a quick walkthrough of the steps involved in renaming files in cmd:
Step 1: Opening CMD
To rename a file in the command prompt, open CMD by pressing both ‘Windows’ along with ‘R’ simultaneously then open up the ‘Run’ and type “cmd” and click the OK button. This will enable opening CMD instantly.
Step 2: Getting to the Directory- using the ‘cd’ Command
When you have the CMD window open, go to the directory where the file or folder that you want to rename is located. You can make this possible by using the ‘cd’ command plus the path to the directory. For example, should the file be found under the ‘Documents’ folder type ‘cd Documents’ then hit ‘Enter’.”
Step 3: Renaming Files and Folders – The ‘ren’ Command
You can use the command ‘ren’ for moving files. Let’s say we have a folder with the old name ‘Miss_named’ which we want to rename as ‘CorrectFolder’ using the command ‘ren Miss_named CorrectFolder’. For changing the name of any document or directory through the prompt type ‘ren oldname newname’ where the original filename/foldername (oldname) goes before space in single quotes followed by spaces and then what you would like it to be referred to as (newname) also in single quotes once more before hitting Enter on your keyboard.
Step 4: Renaming Multiple Files – using Wildcard Characters
By using CMD, the renaming of multiple files simultaneously is possible. You can do that by using the wildcard character ‘*’. A good example would be when you have files in numerical order which look like ‘file1.txt’, and ‘file2.txt’ thereby having a file name beginning with “file” followed by numbers. If one wanted them within this order changed to have doc instead for example doc1.doc doc2.doc he/ she would type in ren file*.txt doc*.txt.
Important Points to Remember
It’s crucial to remember that when using the command prompt to rename files and folders, there is no ‘undo’ option. Take care to double-check your commands before pressing ‘Enter’.
Furthermore, if the filename or folder name contains spaces, ensure to enclose the name in double quotes. For example, ‘ren “old file.txt” “new file.txt”‘.
How to Rename Files and Folders Using CMD
Conclusion
Renaming files and folders via the Command Prompt is a powerful skill that can streamline your workflow, especially when handling multiple files or folders at once. By mastering the CMD rename command, you can efficiently rename files and folders using CMD with ease and precision. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, understanding these command-line techniques will enhance your ability to manage files on your system.
How to Rename Files & Folders using the CMD – FAQs
What command do I use to rename files or folders in the command prompt?
The ‘ren’ command is used to rename files or folders in CMD. The basic syntax is ‘ren oldname newname’, where ‘oldname’ is the current name of the file or folder, and ‘newname’ is the name you want to change it to.
Can I rename multiple files at once using the command prompt?
Yes, you can rename multiple files at once using a wildcard character ‘*’. For example, ‘ren file*.txt doc*.txt’ would rename all files starting with ‘file’ and ending with ‘.txt’ to start with ‘doc’ instead.
Can I undo a rename command in CMD?
No, there is no ‘undo’ option when using CMD to rename files and folders. It’s crucial to double-check your commands before pressing ‘Enter’.
Can I rename folders in CMD?
Yes, you can rename folders in CMD using the ren
command. Navigate to the directory where the folder is located, then type ren oldfoldername newfoldername
, replacing oldfoldername
with the current folder name and newfoldername
with the new name.
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FAQs
The 'ren' command is used to rename files or folders in CMD. The basic syntax is 'ren oldname newname', where 'oldname' is the current name of the file or folder, and 'newname' is the name you want to change it to.
How to change folders in CMD? ›
To change the directory in Command Prompt (Cmd), use the “cd” command followed by the desired directory path, e.g., “cd C:\NewDirectory.”
How do you bulk rename files and folders? ›
Summary
- Start Windows Explorer. To do so, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer.
- Select multiple files in a folder. To do so, press and hold down the CTRL key while you are clicking files.
- After you select the files, press F2.
- Type the new name, and then press ENTER.
How to rename multiple files at once with different names using CMD? ›
Batch Rename Files Using Command Prompt
- ren *. file-extension ???-file-name. * — rename all the files with the specific extension by leaving the first three characters of the old names and appending other content to the name.
- ren *. * ?????. ...
- ren old-file-name-part*. * new-filename-part*.
Which command do you use to rename files and directories? ›
Use the mv command to move files and directories from one directory to another or to rename a file or directory. If you move a file or directory to a new directory without specifying a new name, it retains its original name.
How do you rename a folder in cmd? ›
Here's how you can do it:
- Open Command Prompt.
- Navigate to the folder you want to rename using the cd command.
- Type ren old_folder_name new_folder_name and press Enter. Replace old_folder_name with the current name of the folder and new_folder_name with the name you want to change it to.
How to change file in cmd? ›
Open the Command Prompt (CMD) and type "cd" with a space, followed by the name of the directory, or drag and drop the directory into CMD from File Explorer. Press "Enter."
Can you rename multiple folders at once? ›
Rename in File Explorer
To rename multiple files from File Explorer, select all the files you wish to rename, then press the F2 key. The name of the last file is highlighted. Type the new name you wish to give to every file, then press Enter.
How to rename files in a folder using batch script? ›
In Windows PowerShell, go to a file folder, enter dir | rename-item -NewName {$_.name -replace “My”,”Our”} and press Enter. Using Command Prompt, go to a file folder, enter ren *. * ????????????-filename. jpg and press Enter.
What is the rename command in Windows? ›
RENAME (REN)
RENAME changes the name of the first filename you enter to the second filename you enter. If you enter a path designation for the first filename, the renamed file will be stored on that same path. Wildcard characters (* or ?) may be used with either the first or second filename designation.
How to batch rename extensions. Navigate to the folder containing the files you want. Once there, launch Command prompt from the folder menu by holding down shift and right-clicking on an empty space. Once in Command prompt, you can now use the “ren” (for rename) command to rename, for example, .
How to rename multiple files at once with different names Total Commander? ›
Select the files you want to rename, either with Insert, or the mouse, or with the Plus key on the numeric keypad. From the "Files" menu, choose "Multi-Rename tool" Now you can use placeholders in square brackets to build your new name.
How do you rename multiple files? ›
Quick tip: Alternatively, you can select all files using the "Ctrl + A" keyboard shortcut. You can press and hold the "Ctrl" key and then click each file to rename. Or you can choose the first file, press and hold the "Shift" key, and then click the last file to select a group.
Which method is used to rename the file or folder? ›
To rename a file or folder:
Right-click on the item and select Rename, or select the file and press F2 . Type the new name and press Enter or click Rename.
Which command do you use to rename files and directories group of answer choices? ›
mv renames files or moves them to a different directory. If you specify multiple files, the target (that is, the last path name on the command line) must be a directory.
How do I switch between folders in terminal? ›
cd or change directory
The cd command allows you to move between directories. The cd command takes an argument, usually the name of the folder you want to move to, so the full command is cd your-directory .
How to change root directory in cmd? ›
Open Command Prompt in Windows 10
In the power user task menu, select Command Prompt (Admin) (Figure 8). This opens the Command Prompt window (Figure 9). To change to the Root directory type cd\ and press Enter (Figure 10). NOTE: The Root directory is the best place to enter any required commands or instructions.
How do I change folder attributes in cmd? ›
Using the ATTRIB command, you can change a file`s read/write attribute or set the archive attribute. If you use this command to specify a file as read-only, the file can be accessed, but not altered or deleted. If a file has an attribute of -R, it can be both read from or written to (it is referred to as read/write).
How do I open folder options in cmd? ›
Method 3: Open Folder Options from Run or Command Prompt
Press the WIN + R keys together to open the Run command box, and then type control.exe folders and press Enter to access Folder Options. If you're at Command Prompt, type control.exe folders and you can also access Folder Options quickly.