
Renaming files and folders is a straightforward process across most operating systems. On Windows 10, for example, you can use the built-in File Explorer to rename a file or folder. Alternatively, you can use keyboard shortcuts or the context menu to quickly rename files. For Mac users, the process is similar, with the ability to rename files and folders in Outlook. If you're using Microsoft's OneDrive or SharePoint, you can also rename files, links, and folders within the application, even while others are using the document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rename files or folders in OneDrive or SharePoint | Hover over the file you want to rename, select the ellipses, then select Rename. |
| Rename files or folders in Office applications | Open the document, then click on the name of the file in the title bar. |
| Rename files or folders in Windows 10 | Use File Explorer, PowerShell, Command Prompt, or the Microsoft PowerToys app. |
| Rename multiple files in Windows 10 | Use File Explorer, PowerRename, or PowerShell. |
| Rename folders in Outlook | Applicable for Mac only. |
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What You'll Learn

Renaming multiple files in a folder
Using File Explorer in Windows
This method is built into Windows and can be used to rename multiple files at once:
- Press Windows+E to open File Explorer.
- Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to rename.
- Select all the files you want to rename by pressing Ctrl+A or manually selecting them with your mouse.
- Press F2. The name of the last file selected will be highlighted.
- Type the new name you wish to give to every file, followed by a number in parentheses to make each filename unique.
- Press Enter to save the new names.
PowerRename with PowerToys
PowerRename is a free tool offered by Microsoft that provides more options for renaming multiple files:
- Download and install PowerToys from the GitHub page or Microsoft Store if you haven't already.
- Right-click on the folder containing the files you want to rename.
- Select "PowerRename" from the context menu.
- Enter the current name of the files in the first box.
- Set the new name you want the files to have in the second box.
- Click "Apply."
Third-Party Utilities
There are also third-party utilities available that offer even more features for renaming multiple files, such as Bulk Rename Utility, File Renamer, and ReNamer. These tools often provide features like batch renaming, regular expressions, and the ability to preview changes before applying them.
Command Prompt and PowerShell
For those who prefer the command line, both Command Prompt and PowerShell offer ways to rename multiple files:
Command Prompt:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing the files you want to rename.
- Click the address bar and type "cmd."
- Press Enter to open Command Prompt in the desired directory.
- Use the "ren" command to rename the files. For example, to rename "file1.txt" to "file2.txt," you would use the command "ren file1.txt file2.txt."
PowerShell:
PowerShell offers more flexibility and power than Command Prompt for renaming files and folders, allowing for scripting and batch renaming. While it can be more complex, PowerShell enables you to perform advanced renaming operations.
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Using the PowerRename tool
The PowerRename tool is a part of the Microsoft PowerToys utilities for power users. It provides a set of useful utilities to improve your Windows experience and increase productivity. The PowerRename tool can be used to rename multiple files in one single move based on a specific naming scheme. It is a convenient way to rename a large number of files on Windows.
To use the PowerRename tool, first, download and install the program from GitHub or the Microsoft Store. Once installed, you will find that "`PowerRename`" has been added to your right-click context menu. Now, open File Explorer and select the files you want to rename. Right-click on the selection and choose "PowerRename" from the pop-up menu. In the right pane of PowerRename, confirm the files you wish to rename and ensure each one is checked.
Next, set up your search and replace strings. Enter text or a regular expression to find the files in your selection that contain the criteria matching your entry. You can then enter the text to replace the previous value. You can see the original file name and renamed file name in the Preview pane. If you wish to create UUID values with braces, you can add { and } to the Replace with input. The creation date and time attributes of a file can also be used in the Replace with text.
Once you have confirmed the changes, click the "`Apply`" button to officially rename the files. The new names will now appear in the Original column.
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Renaming files in OneDrive or SharePoint
To rename a file or folder in OneDrive or SharePoint, open the document library and hover over the file or folder you want to rename. Select the ellipses (...) to the right of the item name and then select "Rename". Alternatively, you can right-click on the file or folder and select "Rename" from the context menu. In the “Rename” dialog box, enter the new name and then select "Save". When you open a document, presentation, or workbook in an Office web app, you can rename it by simply clicking on the name of the file in the title bar.
If you are using an older version of SharePoint, when you rename an item that you have previously sent someone a link to, you will need to send them a new link to access the file. With SharePoint Online, if you send someone a sharing link, they will still be able to access the file using that link even after you rename it. However, if you sent them a direct link, they will not be able to access the file after the rename.
It is important to note that when saving files to your personal OneDrive, certain characters may be automatically renamed by Office apps such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. This can also happen if your filename contains unsupported characters or if your filename, folder names, or combined folder structure and filename are too long. OneDrive may truncate the path and beginning of the filename to make it shorter.
Additionally, if you have a SharePoint folder that is synced with OneDrive, renaming the folder in SharePoint should automatically update the synced folder name on your local machine. However, in some cases, the old folder name may still appear. To resolve this issue, you can try stopping the sync for the folder, selecting the newly renamed folder in your OneDrive site to start syncing again, or unlinking and relinking your OneDrive account.
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Using keyboard shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts are a great way to rename folders in the content pane without using a mouse. Here are some detailed instructions on how to do this using Windows:
Firstly, to open the File Explorer window, press the Windows button and E simultaneously. This will allow you to navigate to the folder you want to rename. You can use the arrow keys to move up and down in the list of folders. Once you have found the folder you want to rename, there are a few different keyboard shortcuts you can use.
One option is to select the folder by pressing F2. This will highlight the name of the file. You can then start typing out a new name, and press Enter when you are finished to save the new name. Alternatively, you can use the "ren" command in the Command Prompt to rename the folder. If you are comfortable using PowerShell, you can also use this to rename folders with greater flexibility, allowing for powerful scripting capabilities and batch renaming.
If you want to rename multiple folders in a list, there is a handy shortcut. After renaming the first folder, instead of pressing Enter, hit Tab to jump to the next file. Once you are finished renaming, press Enter to save the changes. If you want to discard the changes, simply press Esc.
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Renaming files to the parent folder name
Renaming files and folders on Windows 10 can be done in several ways. One method is to use the File Explorer by pressing Windows+E, navigating to the desired directory, and clicking on the file or folder to rename. From the Home menu, click "Rename" and enter the new name. Alternatively, you can right-click on the file or folder and select "Rename" from the context menu.
If you want to rename multiple files within a folder to the name of the parent folder, you can use the Bulk Rename Utility. First, navigate to the folder containing the files you want to rename. Select all the files in the right pane, then open the “Name” dropdown and select “Remove.” Next, in the “Append Folder Name” field, select “Prefix” or “Suffix” and add a separator character if desired. Finally, click the “Rename” button and confirm the changes.
For more advanced renaming options, you can use PowerShell or the Command Prompt. PowerShell allows for scripting capabilities and batch renaming using regular expressions. The Command Prompt provides a simple way to rename files or folders using the "ren" command.
Additionally, there are third-party tools and scripts available, such as PowerRename from GitHub or Microsoft Store, which can be useful for batch renaming files with complex patterns.
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Frequently asked questions
To rename a folder in the content pane on Windows 10, open File Explorer by pressing Windows+E. Navigate to the folder you want to rename, right-click on it, and select 'Rename'. Type out the new name and press Enter to save the changes.
There are several other ways to rename a folder in Windows 10, such as using the PowerRename tool, PowerShell, Command Prompt, or the Microsoft PowerToys app.
Yes, you can rename folders in Outlook for Mac.






























