Windows cmd rename folder

on January 2, 2009

Rename  dir_oldname  dir_newname

G:\data>mkdir dir1
G:\data>dir /b
dir1
G:\data>rename dir1 dir2
G:\data>dir /b
dir2
G:\data>

C:\docs>ren 1.txt c:\docs\2.txt
The syntax of the command is incorrect.

C:\docs>ren c:\docs\1.txt 2.txt
C:\docs>dir /b
2.txt

Last Updated :
10 Mar, 2025

Renaming files and folders is a fundamental task for system organization. While it’s simple through the graphical interface, using CMD provides more flexibility, particularly for batch operations or when the interface is unavailable.

In this guide, you’ll master the ren (or rename) command, a built-in CMD utility for renaming files and directories. We’ll cover everything from basic syntax to advanced techniques.

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What is CMD?

CMD, short for Command Prompt, is the command-line interpreter application available in most Windows operating systems. It allows users to execute commands to perform tasks on their computers without using a Graphical User Interface (GUI). CMD provides a direct way to interact with the operating system by typing text commands, enabling users to run programs, manage files and directories, configure system settings, and troubleshoot various issues. It’s a powerful tool for advanced users, system administrators, and developers to automate tasks and perform system-level operations.

Steps to Rename Files and Folders Using CMD

Let’s go through a quick walkthrough of the steps involved in renaming files in cmd:

Step 1: Opening CMD

• To rename a file in the command prompt, open CMD by pressing both ‘Windows’ along with ‘R’ simultaneously then open up the ‘Run’ and type “cmd” and click the OK button. This will enable opening CMD instantly.

Step 2: Getting to the Directory- using the ‘cd’ Command

• When you have the CMD window open, go to the directory where the file or folder that you want to rename is located. You can make this possible by using the ‘cd’ command plus the path to the directory. For example, should the file be found under the ‘Documents’ folder type ‘cd Documents’ then hit ‘Enter’.»

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Step 3: Renaming Files and Folders — The ‘ren’ Command

• You can use the command ‘ren’ for moving files. Let’s say we have a folder with the old name ‘Miss_named’ which we want to rename as ‘CorrectFolder’ using the command ‘ren Miss_named CorrectFolder’. For changing the name of any document or directory through the prompt type ‘ren oldname newname’ where the original filename/foldername (oldname) goes before space in single quotes followed by spaces and then what you would like it to be referred to as (newname) also in single quotes once more before hitting Enter on your keyboard.

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Step 4: Renaming Multiple Files — using Wildcard Characters

• By using CMD, the renaming of multiple files simultaneously is possible. You can do that by using the wildcard character ‘*’. A good example would be when you have files in numerical order which look like ‘file1.txt’, and ‘file2.txt’ thereby having a file name beginning with “file” followed by numbers. If one wanted them within this order changed to have doc instead for example doc1.doc doc2.doc he/ she would type in ren file*.txt doc*.txt.

Important Points to Remember

• It’s crucial to remember that when using the command prompt to rename files and folders, there is no ‘undo’ option. Take care to double-check your commands before pressing ‘Enter’.
• Furthermore, if the filename or folder name contains spaces, ensure to enclose the name in double quotes. For example, ‘ren «old file.txt» «new file.txt»‘.

Conclusion

Renaming files and folders via the Command Prompt is a powerful skill that can streamline your workflow, especially when handling multiple files or folders at once. By mastering the CMD rename command, you can efficiently rename files and folders using CMD with ease and precision. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, understanding these command-line techniques will enhance your ability to manage files on your system.

Renaming folders may seem like a simple and straightforward task to carry out in Windows 11 using its in-house tool, Command Prompt. But what if you wish to rename a bunch of folders simultaneously? For these tasks, a tool with an easy and simple graphical user interface, such as the Easy File Renamer can be a wonderful alternative.

Bulk Rename your Files/Folders with Easy File Renamer.

This software is digitally signed and a safe download.

 Renaming Folders Using Command Prompt in Windows 11

Here are some benefits of using Command Prompt in Windows 11:

• • Command Prompt is pre-installed on Windows 11. You can start renaming files without having to download a special tool.

• • Command Prompt helps system administrators perform file management operations faster. They can create complex folder structures, copy/ move files, and execute scripts more efficiently.

• • Command Prompt makes complex tasks — such as retrieving specific system configurations, manipulating disk partitions, managing Windows services, and changing network configurations — much easier.

• • CMD gives system administrators more control over their system without a graphical user interface.
  • CMD helps administrators diagnose various system problems and fix issues in real time.

Steps

There are two ways by which you can rename a folder using Command Prompt in Windows 11.

 Opening Command Prompt

First and foremost, you’ll need to open Command Prompt. To open Command Prompt, type “CMD” in the Search Box.

If the folder you want to rename is located in a system directory, right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator”. If the folder is located elsewhere, simply click on the “Command Prompt”.

 Important: You must use double quotes if your folder paths contain spaces. If you don’t enclose your folder paths in double-quotes, your command will return an error.

 To rename your folders, use one of the following commands:

 Method 1: Change Active Directory & Rename Multiple Folders

In this method, we’ll first change the current path in the Command Prompt window to the parent directory containing your folder. We’ll then execute the “Ren” (rename) command to rename our folder.

 Use this command if you wish to rename a bunch of folders located in the same directory. It’ll save you from the hassle of entering full folder paths in every command.

• • cd “D:\TestFolder”

• • ren “folder1” “folder1_new”
  • ren “folder2” “folder2_new”

Method 2: Specify Full Folder Path

In this method, we’ll specify the full paths to the folder we want to rename. This command is not recommended if you wish to rename a lot of folders in the same path.

• • ren “D:\TestFolder\folder1” “folder1_new”
  • ren “D:\TestFolder\folder2” “folder2_new”

Batch Rename Folders Using Easy File Renamer (EFR)

There’s no denying that Command Prompt is a powerful tool, but sometimes it can be challenging for an average PC user to write and execute complex commands.

Easy File Renamer is a simple tool with a user-friendly interface. It provides dozens of renaming commands to batch rename files and folders with a single click.

 Here is a list of renaming commands available in the EFR:

• • New name: Rename your files with a completely different name than before.

• • Replace text: Overwrite specific texts from the file names.

• • Remove text: Remove specific instances of texts from file names.

• • Insert At: Insert new characters into file names at specified indexes.

• • Numbering: Add numbering to files with the same common text.

• • Trim text: Remove a specific number of characters from the beginning and end of the filenames.

• • Prefix: Add a text at the beginning of the filenames.

• • Suffix: Add a text at the end of the filenames. You can add a suffix before the file extension, or after the file extension.

• • Upper case: Change the text case of the file names to uppercase.

• • Lower case: Change the text case of the file names to lowercase.

• • Title case: Change the text case of the file names to the title case. Title case is often used for headings.
  • Swap: Use the swap renaming rule to change the position of two texts separated by a separator.

 Steps:

1.   Download and install the tool Easy File Renamer.
2.   Click on ‘System Renamer’.
3.   Click on the ‘Folders’ section.
4.   Click on the ‘Add Folder’ tab.
5.   Choose a folder that contains the subfolders that you want to rename.
6.   Your folders will appear in the list.
7.   Select a renaming rule from the left-side panel. For example: To add a suffix to your folders, select the “Suffix” renaming rule. Enter a text you want to add (for example, _important). Click on ‘Add Rule’.
8.   The added rule will appear under Applied Rules. You can add more rules and remove the existing ones if you want.
9.   Click on the Rename button to start renaming.

 Features of Easy File Renamer:

• • Cloud Renamer: With your subscription to EFR, you get complimentary access to Cloud Renamer. Batch rename files on multiple cloud accounts such as Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive, without downloading them.

• • Music Fixer: Do you have multiple MP3 files with empty or incorrect music tags? You can fix them all using the Music Fixer feature. Music Fixer helps you add details like the name of the album, artist, year, etc. as tags to hundreds of files with one click.
  • Move & Copy: Moving and copying multiple files/ folders at once can be troublesome using Windows 11 Command Prompt. With the EFR, you can now batch move/ copy files with zero chances of errors.

Conclusion

You can rename your folders using either Command Prompt or a dedicated file renamer tool. However, typing command-line syntax can be a complex job for non-technical users, and it is prone to mistakes. The use of Easy File Renamer requires no knowledge of complex command-line context. It’s fast, easy and beginner-friendly.