Change the "Copy of" filename addition?

  • Thread starter Thread starter rich.lega
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rich.lega

When I make a copy of a file (or a number of files) using the
right-click (copy / paste) or CTL-c CTL-V, Windows creates a new file
with the original file name and the words "Copy of" tacked on the
beginning of the name.

Is there any way to change this behavior to having it tack the word
"Copy" AFTER the file name? That way, the copy would show up next to
the original file in a name sorted list.
 
Paste the copy into a different folder and you won't see Copy of...

To change the name of a file or folder
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/.../proddocs/en-us/windows_fcab_rename_file.mspx

To rename a series of files
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...oddocs/en-us/windows_rename_series_files.mspx

HOW TO: Rename Multiple Files in Windows XP with Windows Explorer
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320167

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In
 
Thanks for the reply.

The challenge here is not making a copy of the file without the name
change or renaming the file.
I want the system to change the way it does the renaming.

Case in point: I work on a system that is shared with a remote
location. When I work remotely, I want to change the settings in a
configuration file to enable debugging and other settings. It would be
easier to see that this has happened if the files were named
"CONFIG.INI" and "CONFIG Copy.INI" instead of "Copy of CONFIG.INI".

If the OS (WindowsXP) has the capability of prepending to the file
name, it could also append to it. I would think that deep in the
workings of the system, there is a sprintf() statement. It would be a
little more work to place the word "copy" inside the file name (before
the extension). It would be super simple to append it to the extension.

It is just a pet peeve of mine and I was wondering if anyone knew of a
"patch" or whatever to change it.
 
It most likely comes from shell32.dll, where string resource 4193 is:

"copy of %s"

you could use a resource editor to change this to "%s copy" and replace shell32.dll with your modified version. There are file protection issues with replacing a .dll, and updates often have a newer version of the file, which would require you to modify the file again. Not a very elegant solution -- and not very desirable in a workplace.

Keith
 
I finally tried this and it doesn't seem to affect the naming of a file that is copied and then pasted into the same folder....Rats!!!

I did leave the string modified though, I'm curious to see if & where it will turn up.

Sorry Rich,
Keith
 
Keith,
Thanks for the try... you got to it before I could find the resource
editor! :)

Rich
 
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