How to rename multiple files at once

Rename multiple files at once

Today's tip is about renaming multiple files in just three steps in Windows File Explorer. This is really useful for changing all your photo names from an event or reorganizing documents into a consistent naming scheme.

I recently found a folder of images on my computer from an Extension event that I had downloaded from my phone. They all had generic names (e.g. IMG_4970, IMG_4972). 

Instead of renaming them individually, I used the steps below to rename them all at the same time:

1. In Windows File Explorer, select the files you want to rename. To select all the files, press Ctrl + A. 
2. Right-click on the file you would like to be number 1
3. Select Rename from the menu

All of the files are named the same with a number behind each file (1), (2), (3), etc.

Article by Karen Matthes, Extension Learning Technologies, klm@umn.edu