Ultimate Guide: Master the Art of File and Folder Renaming in Windows 10

Key Takeaways

Windows 10's File Explorer offers multiple ways to rename files and folders, including using the Home Menu, two single clicks, the context menu, and a keyboard shortcut.

The Command Prompt allows for renaming files or folders using the "ren" command, which can also handle names with spaces by utilizing optional quotes.

PowerShell offers additional flexibility for renaming files and folders, providing powerful scripting capabilities and the ability to perform batch renaming using regular expressions.

Rename Files and Folders Using File Explorer

Renaming files on Windows 10 can be done in various ways. If you find yourself constantly right-clicking and choosing "Rename" whenever you wish to modify a file's name, here are some helpful tips to expedite the process.

Windows 10's File Explorer is a powerful tool, offering users four distinct built-in methods to rename files or folders. Additionally, a convenient keyboard shortcut allows for renaming without the need for mouse clicks. Consequently, all file and folder renaming techniques in File Explorer function seamlessly for both.

Using the Home Menu

Fire up File Explorer by pressing Windows+E, and navigate to a directory with either a file or folder to rename.

Click on a file or folder to select it, and click "Rename" from the Home menu at the top of File Explorer.

Once you have chosen the name - if you are renaming a file, not the file extension - you can begin entering a new name. In case you have set up File Explorer to display file extensions, please be sure to only modify the file name.

When you're done typing, press Enter — or just click somewhere else — to save the new name.

Using Two Single Clicks

Fire up File Explorer by pressing Windows+E, and navigate to a directory with either a file or folder to rename.

Select the file with a single click, pause for a second, and then click one more time.

After the name is highlighted, type out a new name, and press Enter to save the changes.

Using the Context Menu

To rename a file from the context menu, right-click a folder, and click "Rename" from the context menu that appears.

With the name of the folder highlighted, start typing out a new name, and press Enter when you finish.

Using a Keyboard Shortcut

If you prefer to use a keyboard shortcut, you can use one to highlight a file or folder's name so you can rename it without using a mouse.

Select a file or folder with the arrow keys, or start typing the name. Once the file is selected, press F2 to highlight the name of the file.

After you type in a new name, press the Enter key to save the new name.

Rename Files and Folders with Command Prompt

If you feel more comfortable in the Command Prompt, you can use the ren command to rename files or folders with ease.

One of the quickest methods to access a Command Prompt in a specific directory is through File Explorer. To begin, launch File Explorer and locate the desired destination. Next, click on the address bar and input "cmd", then press Enter.

To rename a file or folder, you can use the following command — if you're renaming a folder, just omit the file extension:

ren "current_filename.ext" "new_filename.ext"

The quotes are not mandatory, but they are necessary if either the current or new names contain a space. For instance, to rename the file "Home Movies.ogv" to "First Birthday.ogv," use the following command:

ren "Home Movie.ogv" "First Birthday.ogv"

Rename Files and Folders with PowerShell

When it comes to renaming files and folders in a command-line environment, Windows PowerShell surpasses Command Prompt in terms of power and flexibility. While this content only covers the basics of renaming files, you can achieve remarkable results such as batch replacing characters in filenames by combining cmdlets using the pipe operator.

To swiftly open a PowerShell window at your chosen location, simply begin by opening the folder in File Explorer. From there, go to File > Open Windows PowerShell and select "Open Windows PowerShell."

First, let's look at renaming a single file. For that, you would use the following syntax:

rename-item "current_filename.ext" "new_filename.ext"

So, for example, to rename a file from "SampleVideo.mp4" to "My Video.mp4" you would use the following cmdlet:

Rename-Item "SampleVideo.mp4" "My Video.mp4"

Use PowerToys to Rename Files

PowerShell goes beyond being just a shell and transforms into a compelling scripting environment. With PowerShell, you gain access to a robust set of tools for effortlessly managing Windows systems, surpassing the capabilities of the Command Prompt. If you're looking to acquire proficiency in utilizing PowerShell cmdlets, we have meticulously compiled a selection of the finest ones to initiate your journey.

To rename files on Windows, you can utilize PowerToys, a utility program developed by Microsoft. This program offers a convenient solution for renaming a substantial quantity of files. Download and install PowerToys from GitHub or the Microsoft Store. After installation, access the right-click context menu and choose "PowerRename" to initiate the renaming process.

Enter the name of the file you want to rename in the first box indicated, set the name you want it to have in the second box, then click "Apply."

You may be wondering, "Isn't this process a bit excessive just to rename a single file?" And you're correct — PowerRename may seem unnecessary if you only have to modify one file name. However, it proves to be extremely valuable when you have to rename multiple files in intricate patterns, as it enables the use of regular expressions to specify the desired renaming.