How to Rename Multiple Files in Windows 11 Easily – Official Method

How to Rename Multiple Files in Windows 11

Changing the name of just one file in Windows 11 is quite easy. A file can be renamed by right-clicking or pressing the F2 key. But, when you want to rename multiple files in Windows, the process gets longer and more complicated. Well, not anymore; with the Microsoft freeware system utility, you can batch rename multiple files within the file explorer. Yes, you don’t need to use CMD or Windows PS anymore to rename files in bulk. Even, you don’t need to download a third-party Bulk rename utility. Microsoft PowerToys allows changing the name or extension of a list of files within a folder.

PowerToys is an App developed by Microsoft that comes with many freeware system utilities designed for advanced users. With PowerToys, users can resize images, remap keyboard keys and shortcuts, create Windows layouts, rename multiple files in bulk, and much more. Even with PowerToys, you can turn off the Camera and Microphone using a Keyboard Shortcut. Overall, it is a package of many useful tools.

What is PowerToys?

After installing PowerToys and enabling the PowerRename utility, it will add an option to rename multiple files in the context menu. It is a Windows Shell Extension for advanced bulk renaming. With that, you can easily rename multiple files within File Explorer. It means you now don’t need to use third-party tools or commands.

Rename Multiple Files in Windows using PowerRename.

Install and Setup PowerRename

1. To rename multiple files at once, you have to download the latest version of PowerToys from Github. First, download the PowerToys setup EXE file from the assets section using the following link.

2. Once, PowerToys application gets downloaded, install it on your Windows PC. And, don’t forget to enable the “Automatically Start PowerToys at logon.” option during the installation process. So that you don’t need to open PowerToys when every time you start Windows.

Automatically start PowerToys at logon

3. PowerToys will start automatically; if not, you can search for it in Windows search.

4. A Welcome screen will now appear in PowerToys; click on settings. 

5. PowerToys run in user mode by default. When you open its settings, you will see an option to “Restart as administrator.” Click on it. The PowerToys program will now start with administrative privileges.

Restart PowerToys to use in administrator mode

6. After PowerToys restarts, turn on the toggle switch for “Always run as administrator.”

Always run PowerToys as administrator

7. On the left-hand side, you will find many free system utilities. Click on PowerRename. 

8. Toggle the Enable PowerRename switch on. And, from the Shell integration section, do enable the “Show icon on the context menu.” 

Enable PowerRename to rename multiple files

9. You can enable the boost library and other options as well. Just do not enable the “appear only in the extended context menu” if you’re using Windows 10. Else, you have to press Shift + Right-Click to use the PowerRename utility. 

Use SmartRename to Rename Files

Well, if you don’t want to use other tools of PowerToys. Then, you can download and Install SmartRename from GitHub. But, I suggest you install PowerToys so that you can manage multiple free tools in one place.

Use PowerRename to Rename multiple files.

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder in which you want to rename files.

2. Select multiple files to rename, and then right-click on them. For example, from the menu, click on PowerRename. 

PowerRename option in file explorer

Note: If you’re Windows 11 user, then you need to click on the show more option once you right-click. Or, you can press the Shift + F10 shortcut key after selecting files.

3. PowerRename window will now appear. And, you will see two fields mainly. “Search for” and “Replace With.” If you ever replaced text in a Word document, you might already be aware of these two options. 

4. The “Search For” field will ask you to enter the common word among all files that you would like to replace. Then, in the section “Replace with,” enter the replacement word. Click on Rename. (PowerRename also shows preview renamed files.)

Rename Multiple Files in Windows using PowerRename

As you can see in the screenshot, I am replacing F.R.I.E.N.D.S with FRIENDS.

5. If you want to remove a word from all files, then you can enter the word in the search field. And keep the “Replace with” field empty. Click on rename.

So this is the easiest way to rename multiple files in bulk on Windows. Let me know in the comment section if you find this article helpful or if you’ve any questions.