Multiple File Rename In Windows Explorer

[Don]

Hello,

My first post to the forum here.

I'm Don from Barnegat NJ.

When I select multiple files, then hit F2 to rename them, the 2nd file is appended by windows with a (1).

Example:

I'm trying to rename 2 files named

001 01.mp3

and

001 01.cdg.

I select both files.

I hit F2 to rename.

I rename 001 01.mp3 to Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion.mp3

001 01.cdg becomes Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion(1).cdg

Is there any way I can get rid of the (1) without having to actually rename it again? (go in and delete the (1) that windows added).

Is there something in the registry or somewhere else that tells windows to add the (1)? Is there a workaround for that?

Thanks

[AlanHo]

I understand that it is the normal way Windows Explorer works.

If you had selected say 6 files - the numbering would have been File name, File name (1), File name (2), File name (3) etc up to (5). Windows changes the first part of the file name but retains the extension.

Imagine you have taken a lot of photos which your camera has named IMG2187.jpg, IMG2188.jpg etc and you would like more friendly names.

Collect all the files you want to rename into one folder and select them all (ctrl A) or just the ones you want to rename using F2.

Right click on the first of the highlighted files and select "Rename". All the files will stay selected but the first will have the rename box around it. Change the file name to Grimsby Pier.jpg. This will happen immediately but after a second or two the remaining selected files are renamed Grimsby Pier (1).jpg, Grimsby Pier (2).jpg etc.

The order of renaming is the order displayed - so if Explorer is showing the files in reverse date order then the lowest numbers after the name will be the most recent taken. If you click on and rename a file part way down the selected batch then the sequence will start with that file, continue down the screen to the end of the list and then continue from the top.

You must specify the extension for the file you manually rename - but the rename command will respect the extension of all the other files even if they are different.

You can specify any starting number in the brackets and the sequence will start from there. If you don't specify a starting number - just Grimsby Pier.jpg etc the next file will be sequenced (1) etc

I do not know of a way of getting rid of the sequential numbers in brackets - because each file name has to be different

[-pops-]

I use file renaming a lot and I agree with everything Alan has said.

One thing I do, though, is further rename the first file (without the suffix) to a "0" that is (0) for neatness.

[AlanHo]

For neatness you can, when naming the first file, call it "File name (1).ext"

Windows will then rename the other files (2), (3) etc.

It avoids having a file with (0) in the name.

[-pops-]

I appreciate what you mean Alan but I don't mind that. It matches the system with my first hard drive being disk 0.

[Boris]

You could use one of the freeware mass file renaming tools like :-

http://www.1-4a.com/rename/

Personally I use an excellent little Shell Extension for Win95/98/nt4/2k/xp, called "Properties Plus 1.65

It adds additional functionality to your right-click menu under the menu option PropertiesPlus.

You can modify names, file attributes, file extensions, and the time stamps of single files, multiple files, or files contained within the folders. Display the bytes allocated.

Unfortunately I can't at the moment find a working download link for the English version :(

[Don]

Thanks for the replies.

I understand about the sequential numbering.

Im my case, I'm only looking to rename 2 files at a time: each with a different extension.

I guess Windows can't discern that I'm trying to rename files with different extensions.

I looked at that file renamer program. I don't think that will help me.

Another option is to use a keystroke recorder and record keystrokes to remove the (1)... a pain, but can be done.

Anyone else?