How to Batch Rename Files in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

By / September 20, 2025

If you’ve ever had a messy folder full of files with names like IMG_001.jpg, IMG_002.jpg, or worse, random gibberish, you know how frustrating it can be. Renaming files one by one is slow, tedious, and downright boring. The good news? Windows 11 makes it easy to batch rename files quickly — and you don’t even need extra software for most cases.

In this guide, we’ll walk through how to batch rename files in Windows 11 step by step, using built-in tools and a few powerful alternatives. Whether you want to rename hundreds of photos, organize your work documents, or just keep things neat, this tutorial will save you time and sanity.

đź“ť Quick Summary: Key Takeaways

  • Windows Explorer offers a simple way to rename multiple files in seconds.

  • PowerShell and Command Prompt allow advanced, automated batch renaming.

  • Third-party tools like Bulk Rename Utility provide even more customization.

  • You can add numbers, dates, custom text, or replace parts of filenames.

  • Back up your files before batch renaming to avoid accidental mistakes.

Why Should You Batch Rename Files in Windows 11?

Renaming multiple files at once isn’t just about neatness — it has real benefits:

  • Organization: Makes it easier to search and identify files.

  • Consistency: Useful for projects, photos, or version control.

  • SEO & Sharing: Clean file names help when uploading online (e.g., holiday-photos-2025 looks better than DSC0023).

  • Automation: Saves time compared to renaming one file at a time.

Imagine preparing a folder of 500 vacation photos. Would you rather spend hours renaming them one by one, or rename them all to Hawaii-Trip-2025 (1)…(500) in under a minute? Exactly.

Methods to Batch Rename Files in Windows 11

Windows 11 offers several ways to rename files, depending on your needs. Let’s break them down.

Method 1: Batch Rename Using File Explorer

The easiest and most beginner-friendly option is File Explorer.

Steps to Rename Files in File Explorer:

  1. Select Your Files

    • Open the folder with the files you want to rename.

    • Hold Ctrl and click to select multiple files, or press Ctrl + A to select all.

  2. Right-Click and Rename

    • Right-click one of the selected files.

    • Choose Rename (or press F2 on your keyboard).

  3. Enter the New Name

    • Type your base name (e.g., ProjectReport).

    • Press Enter.

  4. See the Magic

    • Windows will automatically rename the rest in sequence:

      • ProjectReport (1)

      • ProjectReport (2)

      • ProjectReport (3)

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros ❌ Cons
Fast and easy Limited customization
No extra software needed Can’t easily add prefixes, suffixes, or advanced patterns
Great for simple numbering Not ideal for complex file sets

Method 2: Using PowerShell

For more control, Windows PowerShell is a powerful tool.

Steps to Batch Rename Files with PowerShell:

  1. Open PowerShell

    • Press Win + S, type PowerShell, and open it.

  2. Navigate to Your Folder

    • Type:

      cd "C:\Users\YourName\Documents\TargetFolder"

  3. Run Rename Command

    • Example to rename .jpg files with a prefix:

      Dir *.jpg | Rename-Item -NewName { "Vacation_" + $_.Name }

  4. Advanced Example: Replace Text in Filenames

    Dir *.txt | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.Name -replace "draft","final" }

Why Use PowerShell?

  • Perfect for IT professionals, developers, or anyone handling large datasets.

  • Can rename thousands of files with custom rules.

Method 3: Batch Rename with Command Prompt

The Command Prompt (CMD) is another built-in option.

Steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt

    • Press Win + R, type cmd, and hit Enter.

  2. Navigate to Folder

    cd C:\Users\YourName\Desktop\TestFiles

  3. Rename with Wildcards

    ren *.txt *.bak

    This will rename all .txt files to .bak.

  4. Example with Prefix
    CMD is more limited than PowerShell, but still useful for simple changes.

Method 4: Using Third-Party Software

Sometimes, you need advanced batch renaming features like metadata, case changes, or regex.

Popular Tools:

  • Bulk Rename Utility (free, very powerful)

  • Advanced Renamer

  • ReNamer

  • File Renamer Basic

Features You Get:

  • Add dates, timestamps, or EXIF data.

  • Replace, insert, or delete characters.

  • Change case (UPPERCASE, lowercase, Title Case).

  • Preview changes before applying.

Best Practices Before Batch Renaming

  • Backup files: Mistakes can be hard to undo.

  • Test with a few files first: Make sure the result looks right.

  • Keep names short: Long filenames can cause issues.

  • Avoid special characters: Stick to letters, numbers, dashes, and underscores.

Advanced Tips and Tricks

1. Add Sequential Numbers

In File Explorer, numbering is automatic. In PowerShell, you can customize:

$i=1; Dir *.jpg | % {Rename-Item $_ -NewName $("Trip2025_" + $i++ + ".jpg")}

2. Use Dates in Filenames

Dir *.txt | Rename-Item -NewName { "Report_" + (Get-Date -Format yyyyMMdd) + "_" + $_.Name }

3. Change Case of Filenames

Dir *.jpg | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.BaseName.ToUpper() + $_.Extension }

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Why didn’t my files rename?

  • Check if files are open in another program.

  • Make sure you have permission to modify them.

How to undo a batch rename?

  • Use Ctrl + Z immediately in File Explorer.

  • If using PowerShell/CMD, restoring from backup may be the only option.

When Should You Use Each Method?

Method Best For Skill Level
File Explorer Quick renames, small sets Beginner
PowerShell Advanced automation Intermediate/Advanced
Command Prompt Simple bulk extensions Intermediate
Third-Party Tools Complex, metadata-based renaming All levels

Conclusion

Learning how to batch rename files in Windows 11 is a huge time-saver. For simple renaming, File Explorer works perfectly. If you need advanced customization, PowerShell or third-party software will give you full control.

The key is to choose the right method for your situation:

  • Everyday users → File Explorer.

  • Power users → PowerShell.

  • Heavy workloads with custom rules → Bulk Rename Utility.

So next time you’re staring at a messy folder, remember: with just a few clicks or commands, you can bring order to the chaos.

FAQs: Batch Renaming in Windows 11

1. Can I undo a batch rename in Windows 11?
Yes — in File Explorer, press Ctrl + Z right after renaming. In PowerShell/CMD, you’ll need to manually rename back or restore from backup.

2. How do I batch rename files with different extensions?
Use PowerShell with filters (e.g., Dir *.*). Third-party tools also support multi-extension renaming.

3. Is there a way to rename files using file metadata like date or EXIF?
Yes, but you’ll need a third-party app like Bulk Rename Utility or Advanced Renamer.

4. Will renaming files affect the content inside them?
No, renaming changes only the filename, not the content.

5. Can I batch rename folders in Windows 11 too?
Absolutely. The same methods (Explorer, PowerShell, etc.) can rename folders just like files.

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