Best Free File Rename Utility
File renaming seems to have gone through a resurgence lately. This is probably driven by the increasing popularity of digital cameras and digital music recording, which results in large numbers of files which are often given cryptic names by the software.
In the DOS days before Windows, we were able to do simple bulk file renaming with a single rename command and filename wildcards. In Windows Explorer, we're forced to do our renaming one filename at a time, which is OK for a few files, but for large numbers is tedious and slow. We need a product that allows us to rename large numbers of files at once, following naming rules we can define.
If you want industrial strength file renaming, there are several great choices:
First, there's Lupas Rename 2000. This is a small utility that globally renames all the files in a directory
and its subdirectories. It can convert names to upper/lower case, change the case of the first letter, add text, left crop, right crop and just about anything else you can think of. Unlike DOS based utilities, it will also work on hidden files. Add in a nice GUI interface, an undo feature, full preview of changes, MP3 tag renaming, and support for regular expressions, and you have an outstanding product. It is a single .EXE (848 KB) file which needs no external libraries, so it can be run as a portable product.
The second and equally attractive option is Flexible Renamer. It's quite similar to Lupas and choosing between them is not easy. Lupas seems easier to use for simply renaming files, while Flexible Renamer has the edge with MP3 tags. Flexible Renamer can also bulk change file attributes while Lupas can't. It also runs without installation, a definite plus.
A third choice is Bulk Rename Utility. It's a bit like Lupas Rename and Flexible Renamer rolled into one product. That means more power but at the cost of greater complexity and a steeper learning curve. Indeed the option-laden opening screen may scare the pants off average users. However, it is the bulk renamer product I like most and many power users would I suspect, agree. However, if you only need a renamer for re-labeling digital photos and MP3 files, you might instead like THE Rename. It works on all versions of Windows though usage is not very intuitive. There is also a command-line version available.
Lupas Rename 2000
Website: http://www.azheavymetal.com/~lupasrename/lupasrename.php
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 535 KB zip 734 KB setup.exe
Windows Operating Systems Supported: Win95, Win98, WinME, WinNT, Win2K, XP
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: Yes, normal version is portable
Additional Software Required: None
Flexible Renamer
Website: http://hp.vector.co.jp/authors/VA014830/english/FlexRena/
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 648 KB
Windows Operating Systems Supported: all Windows versions
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Bulk Rename Utility
Website: http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 813 KB
Windows Operating Systems Supported: Windows 98SE and later
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: Yes
Portable Version Available: Yes
Additional Software Required: None
THE Rename
Website:
http://www.herve-thouzard.com/modules/wfsection/article.php?articleid=1
License: Freeware
Download Filesize: 2.98 MB
Windows Operating Systems Supported: all Windows versions
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Suggested programs currently pending review:
Thanks for the comments suggesting these products for consideration.
Scarabée's Siren rename utility
Advanced Renamer
Ant Renamer
File Renamer
PFrank File Renamer
ReNamer
Rename Master
Rename-It!
CK Rename
As you are probably aware, we receive many suggestions for additions. Without this input, these reviews would not be as popular as they are today. Please understand that I evaluate and consider every suggestion I receive. At the same time, realize that not every product suggested will make the list. I will give these the same consideration and evaluation I give every product that is suggested to me, but I will make no promises that it will be added. Thanks again for your suggestions.
This software category is maintained by volunteer editor Glenn Lehmann.
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Hi
I have tried out the ReNamer. It is really awesome. Especially it is 100% unicode compatible.
+ 1 for ReNamer.
Simple layout, rules are easy to create and edit, allows saving and reloading profiles, portable version available, very effective.
http://www.den4b.com/
I think Flexible Renamer is the only one that will change file attribute info. This is handy if you want to change the Modify/Creation date sequentially on a large group of files for sorting purposes.
No, with ReNamer you can also change meta tags.
Bulk Rename Utility gets my vote - an awesome piece of software.
Denis' ReNamer is awesome and still actively developed. While Lupas Rename is my first choice by a fair margin, development seems to have ceased. Also, ReNamer really shines when it comes to creating and using out of the ordinary renaming patterns, as it has an in-line PascalScript code editor/compiler that allows users to essentially do any sort of renaming if they're comfortable with programming in Pascal (yes, the language that the old-timers among us probably learnt back in school and then promptly forgot in favour of C++, Java etc. :) )
Try Advanced Renamer at http://aren.hulubulu.net/.
It's all a matter of taste, especially with this kind of applications.
That's why you may find one of these freeware renamers useful too:
1. Ant Renamer
2. File Renamer
3. PFrank File Renamer
4. ReNamer
5. Rename Master
6. Rename-It!
I did not try out the other two products, but Lupas Rename can bulk-rename directories, which makes it very useful for people, who want to delete a htm-file, but keep (and rename) the according directory.
Example:
Name of file: myblog archive - media 150408.htm
Directory: myblog archive - media 150408-Files
After removing 24 characters before and 6 characters after the desired directory name, only the name 150408 remains.
Or think of directories full of mp3-files. Some of the feature much more than artist and album title.
Thomas from Berlin, Germany
I like CKRename - simple, direct, does what I need.
http://www.musicsucks.com/CKSoft/CKRename/index.htm
Allen
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