Do you sometimes want to rename a series of files (on most occasions photo files) with a certain prefix to keep them organized? Something like this would be ideal – photo(1).jpg, photo(2).jpg, photo(3).jpg, photo(4).jpg, photo(5).jpg, etc. Here are 3 ways how you can rename multiple files; with and without the use of software.

1. Windows File Explorer

This method has been previously discussed in CNET, adopted from an original content of Microsoft.

Batch rename with Windows File Explorer

1. Select all the files you want to highlight. You can do it by mouse dragging all the files or hold down CTRL key and click on each of the files.
2. On file selected, hit the F2 button (or mouse right click, select Rename)
3. Type in a name (prefix) and hit Enter

All files selected will be renamed according to name(1).ext, name(2).ext, name(3).ext, name(4).ext, etc.

Love It

It’s fast, without the need of other 3rd party application.

Hate It

Files renamed have a space between its bracket and the prefix name. Brackets and spaces are not suitable to upload online for sharing. Brackets and spaces are by default and not customizable.

2. Google Picasa

Picasa is a photo viewers, integrating together with Hello you can also share photos online with your friends or even send them instantly to Blogger (for blogging purposes). Picasa comes with an batch renaming function build-in.

Batch rename with Picasa

1. Mouse drag to select photos
2. On the top navigation; Picture -> Batch Edit -> Rename or keyboard shortcut F2 from Picasa screen
3. Enter a prefix name and click Rename

Love It

It’s probably one of the best free application for photo management. Date and file size resolution can be added as part of prefix.

Hate It

Batch renaming only work for multimedia file types (TIFF, BMP, GIF, PSD, AVI, MPG, ASF, WMV, MOV, etc)

Download Picasa?

Picasa is free application among the Google Pack.

3. Adobe Bridge

Adobe Bridge, part of the Adobe Creative Suite is a file explorer that works closely with Adobe related products like Photoshop, Illustrator, etc. It can also perform stock photo searching.

Batch rename with Adobe Bridge

1. Mouse drag to select files
2. Tools -> Batch Rename or keyboard shortcut CTRL+SHIFT+R

Love It

One of the most complete batch renaming functions. Comes with options of customizing prefix name with numbers, alphabets, dates, etc. Ability to move or duplicate a copy of renamed files to another folder. Also able to preview the final file names before a batch rename event.

Hate It

It’s not free.

Download Adobe Bridge

This is not a freeware, but trial for 30 days is available.