Changing Multiple File Names

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Guest

In the "good old days of DOS" it was easy to modify a number of file names
at the same time, for example, changing all files starting with "xyz" to
start with "abc".

Is there any method under XP, other than one file at a time, to do this?
 
In
Jim said:
In the "good old days of DOS" it was easy to modify a number of
file
names at the same time, for example, changing all files
starting with
"xyz" to start with "abc".

Is there any method under XP, other than one file at a time, to
do
this?
Click to expand...


Most DOS commands work under Windows XP just as they used to. Go
to a command prompt windows (Start | Run | CMD) and do it the way
you used to.
 
Ken,

Thank you, that indeed got me (mostly) what I needed. However with the ren
command, it appears I am stuck when file names have imbedded blanks. The
first characters can be changed and concatonated with later words, but I
don't see a way to reintroduce a blank.

If there is, please let me know. Even so, this alternative is still better
than what I knew before.
 
If you want to use a blank in a filename then just
enclose the name in quotes.
Hope this helps.
 
In
Jim said:
Ken,

Thank you, that indeed got me (mostly) what I needed.
Click to expand...


You're welcome, Jim.

However with
the ren command, it appears I am stuck when file names have
imbedded
blanks. The first characters can be changed and concatonated
with
later words, but I don't see a way to reintroduce a blank.
Click to expand...


Enclose the file name in quotation marks.
 
Using dos is oneway to change file names. Here is another way to change file
names w/out leaving windows.
1) Go to the folder that has the files you want to change. left <click>
first file to change.
2) Go to the last file name to change then <shift>left<click>
3) Now right<click> last file name to change.
4) Go to <rename> in menu list.
5) Edit last file name then press enter. All selected file name, with the
exception of the last file, will be modified. Now change the last file to
what you want.
 
Jim
I have the same problem, and the answers you have received look helpful.
Unfortunately it is such a long time since I was in the DOS environment, I
have forgotten how to make the 'global' changes in Dos.
Please can you refresh my memory?

Robert
 
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