rename multiple files in multiple folder

where "ext" is the new extension.  You may also want to change the filespec in the command above to something besides * like *.txt or what ever the matching files are that you are trying to rename.

Also, if you want to use this in a .bat file instead of a command prompt, you need to double the percent symbols like this:

for /f "delims=" %%F in ('dir/s/b  d:\testfolder\*') do  ren "%%F"  "%%~nF.ext"

Bulk Rename Utility will do it.

www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk

also, let's remove the possibility of including directories in our script ... add /a-d to the dir command like this:   dir/s/b/a-d

I always use the Lupus Rename Utility - a doddle to use http://rename.lupasfreeware.org/download.php

Building on Steve's last suggestion, if the files you are renaming all have the same initial extention (like .txt for example) you can do this:

cd/d "d:\testfolder"
for /d /r %D in (*) do  ren  "%D\*.txt"  *.ext

Yup that sort of thing :-)

This was an interesting one for me.  It looks like we've covered the basic approaches here, so I wont add to that.

But I was interested in the FOR /D /R construct.  Wondering if knight or Steve know what other switched can be used in combination on the FOR command?  I typically think of them as only one allowed at a time, but clearly sometimes more than one are allowed...

~bp

Thanks everybody.  It was an interesting discussion.

A good question bill.... Can't see how /f or /l could combine with anything for starters and it does moan quickly if you get option in wrong order for each option etc.... i suppose r and d are special case here and better idea than using dir /ad /s /b as it will process as it goes along rather than after a whole dir listing is completed - fairly sure I've seen that used before here, possibly even me too?!  something to play with when bored at some point.... No doubt paultomasi has a lengthy response?

Arrived here from https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/27376922/Batch-Script-to-Parse-Folders-within-Subfolders-to-delete-specific-Folders-and-Files-within.html?anchorAnswerId=36905071#a36905071

Just looked at FOR /R /D %%....

No lengthy response here other than to say my research tells me it is undocumented and buggy.

In any event, FOR /L, FOR /D and FOR /R (and not forgetting FOR all by itself) are enough for all my batch needs.

I would suggest not using FOR /R /D %%.... in the future.

Oops! And how could I not mention FOR /F....

:)

what leads you to see it as buggy paul?  it gave me the same results on a windows 2000, XP, and windows 7 machine and was faster than for /f against for /f with dir /b /ad.

Frankly I have always used for /f as I feel more in control than with for /r or for /d or now /r  /d but they all have their place.

Main problem with for /f version, lets say processing against massive drive is nothing happens for few mins while it processes dir then it does the job.

Steve

>> "what leads you to see it as buggy..."

http://ss64.com/nt/for_d.html

It states: "The option /D /R is undocumented and somewhat buggy, it fails for root folders. FOR /R is often a better choice".


FOR /D on it's own is faster than FOR /F with DIR /B /AD as well - and processing start immediately unlike that of DIR.

I've noticed there are occasions where experts have used FOR /F instead of FOR /D or FOR /R and I suspect this is due to either laziness or inexperience.

I do like I idea of FOR /D /R though. It saves having to write a recursive function...

"I suspect this is due to either laziness or inexperience."

Come on Paul...  like I said all have their place.... for instance for /f against dir /b etc. can be used with filters using find findstr etc. and has the benefit that you can do the dir first to see what would be included  etc.

One thing I wonder is if you are, say, deleting folders or files and using for /r or for /d or for /r /d does it deal with that?  Doing a for /f against dir /b /s /ad for instance would have a pre determined list already.

Steve

>> "Come on Paul..."

Okay, I take it back... Actually, after second thoughts (see below), I'm going to change that to 'convenience'. 'Laziness' was a little harsh!

FOR /F with DIR is great. For small to medium numbers of files/folders it's good however, for massive amounts of files/folders it can take an apprecaible while for FOR to start looping.

I've just spent a little time playing with the various FORs only to remind myself why I dislike the quirkiness of FOR /R and the restrictiveness of FOR /D. FOR /R /D addresses some of these problems and it may prove to be a popular choice even with me! - All I can say at this point is watch this space!