Windows 10: Random numbering when renaming multiple files on the desktop.

in Windows 11, if I select three or so files on the desktop, rightclick and select rename, the number in parenthesis does not follow the selection order of the files but is in a random order. I am constantly renaming camera video files and I always have to renumber them individually afterwards which is annoying. The selection order always dictated the number after the file name under windows 10. I have not found any system to this random result but think it might have something to do with the order in which the files are copied from the SD card to the Desktop, which also does not follow the or

:)

 

Rename multiple files in windows 10

Hello,

This is Sudha Independent Advisor and user like you. Please follow below steps to solve your issue

Method 1: Rename multiple files using the Tab key

File Explorer (previously known as the Windows Explorer) is a place where you can find all the folders and files that are available at different locations on your PC.

To rename multiple files using the Tab Key, follow these steps:

1. Open the File Explorer either from the taskbar or the desktop.

2. Open the folder whose files you want to rename.

3. Select the first file.

4. Press the F2 key to rename it. Your file name will be selected.

Note: If your F2 key performs some other function also, then press the combination of the Fn + F2 key.

Note: You can also perform the above step by right-clicking on the first file and selecting the rename option. The file name will be selected.

5. Type the new name you want to give to that file.

6. Click on the Tab button so that the new name will be saved and the cursor will automatically move to the next file to rename.

So, by following the above method, you just have to type a new name for the file and press the Tab button and all the files will be renamed with their new names.

Method 2: Rename Multiple Files using Windows 10 File Explorer

To rename multiple files in bulk on Windows 10 PC, follow these steps:

Note: This method is applicable if you want the same file name structure for every file.

1. Open the File Explorer either from the taskbar or the desktop.

2. Open the folder whose files you want to rename.

3. Select all the files you want to rename.

4. If you want to rename all the files available in the folder, press the Ctrl + A key.

5. If you want to rename random files, click on the file you want to rename and press and hold the Ctrl key. Then, one by one, select the other files you want to rename and when all the files are selected, release the Ctrl button.

6. If you want to rename the files present inside a range, click on the first file of that range and press and hold the Shift key and then, select the last file of that range and when all files are selected, release the Shift key.

7. Press the F2 key to rename the files.

Note: If your F2 key performs some other function also, then press the combination of the Fn + F2 key.

8. Type the new name of your choice.

9. Hit the Enter key.

All the selected files will be renamed and all the files will have the same structure and name. However, to differentiate between these files, as now, all the files will have the same name, you will notice a number inside the parentheses after the name of the
file. This number is different for each file which will help you in differentiating between these files. Example: New Image (1), New Image (2), etc.

 

How to change the numbering style when renaming multiple files?

Lets say I have 10 photos named randomly. I want to give them a uniform name, like "PHOTO_BW01"

When I would want to rename multiple files by

1. RIGHT-CLICK on the first one
   
2. SHIFT + RIGHT-CLICK on the last one
   
3. Rename File as "PHOTO_BW"
   
4. The output is "PHOTO_BW (1)" ; "PHOTO_BW (2)"; "PHOTO_BW (3)" etc. by default.
   

I would want to change the "(#)" part to a costume naming convention either temporarily or permanently in windows, so after I write the uniform file name, it follows with the numbering the way I would want it, as the following "PHOTO_BW01" (or "-01"); "PHOTO_BW02"; "PHOTO_BW03" etc.

I tried looking into "regedit" files, but that is too technical and couldn't figure out that file system > I didn't find the correct file to change.

I am looking for a solution to customize this naming method. Thank you in advance!

 

Renaming a file into multiple different names

Hi hajen,

thanks for reply, yep exactly as you described, I have file with name "B-45963.eps" and i have list of names that this file needs to be renamed, file extension stays same.