How do I remove the same part of a file name for many files in Windows 7?

Question

Basically, I have an album of music and I want to remove the authors name from all of the mp3 files instead of having to manually do it myself. Is there a function in Windows 7 Ultimate that can do this for me?

Answer 1

You could also try using PowerShell, a powerful Windows command line tool. You'd run this command:

Full Command:

get-childitem *.mp3 | foreach { rename-item $_ $_.Name.Replace("Radiohead -", "") }

Analyzing it:

get-childitem *.mp3
This lists all files whose names end with .mp3.  They are then piped to the next command with the | operator.

foreach { rename-item $_ $_.Name.Replace("Radiohead -", "") }
This replaces all instances of Radiohead - with nothing, denoted by "", effectively wiping the word from all the files in the directory.

You could also modify get-childitem *.mp3 to get-childitem – that would rename all the files in the directory, not just files whose names end with .mp3.

Answer 2

Forget about complicated scripts for this.

rename is a very old and never properly completed command. If you do not use it properly, the result might surprise you.

For example to remove a prefix abcd from abcd1.txt, abcd2.txt, abcd3.txt etc. in order to get 1.txt, 2.txt, 3.txt simply use

rename "abcd*.txt" "////*.txt"

You need the same number of / as the number of initial characters you would like to remove.

Do place double quotes for both arguments.

Answer 3

This might work.

Create a batch file as follows:

for %%i in ("*.mp3") do (set fname=%%i) & call :rename
goto :eof
:rename
::Cuts off 1st four chars, then appends prefix
ren "%fname%" "my%fname:~4%"
goto :eof

Source: http://www.codejacked.com/renaming-multiple-files-at-once-windows (in the comments, from "BlueNovember")

Answer 4

Try this software

http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

Bulk Rename Utility is a free file renaming software for Windows. Bulk Rename Utility allows you to easily rename files and entire folders based upon extremely flexible criteria. Add date/time stamps, replace numbers, insert text, convert case, add auto-numbers, process folders and sub-folders....plus a whole lot more! Rename multiple files quickly, according to many flexible criteria. Rename files in many ways: add, replace, insert text into file names. Convert case, add numbers. Remove or change file extensions. Check the detailed preview before renaming. Rename photos using EXIF meta data (i.e. "Date Picture Taken", "Resolution" and other information embedded in all JPG photo files) Rename your holiday pictures from a meaningless dsc1790.jpg to NewYork1.jpg in a flash. Rename MP3 files using ID3 tags (a.k.a. MP3 ID3 tag renaming). Change files' creation and modification time stamps. It's free. Easy to Install. Download and start renaming your files now!

Answer 5

ReNamer can do that. In ReNamer, just add a 'remove' rule like this (a 'delete' rule will also work):

And then drag and drop the files, or the folder containing the files you want renamed to its window (or use the 'Add Files/Folders' buttons), then check the preview, and once verified, click on 'Rename':

Answer 6

Since you are dealing with music files, forget about the batch file and utilities to rename your files. Use a dedicated program such as Mp3tag which is an absolute must if you're really into organizing your music.

Main features

Batch Tag Editing Write ID3v1.1, ID3v2.3, ID3v2.4, MP4, WMA, APEv2 Tags and Vorbis Comments to multiple files at once.

Support for Cover Art Download and add album covers to your files and make your library even more shiny.

Import from Amazon, discogs, freedb, MusicBrainz Save typing and import tags from online databases like Amazon, discogs, freedb, MusicBrainz, and more.

Replace characters or words Replace strings in tags and filenames (with support for Regular Expressions).

Create Playlists automatically Create and manage playlists automatically while editing.

Rename files from tags Rename files based on the tag information and import tags from filenames.

Export to HTML, RTF, CSV Generate nice reports and lists of your collection based on user-defined templates.

Full Unicode Support User-interface and tagging are fully Unicode compliant.

Besides these main features Mp3tag offers a variety of other functions and features ranging ranging from batch export of embedded album covers, over support for iTunes-specific tags like media type or TV Show settings, to combining multiple actions into groups that can be applied with a single mouse click.

Answer 7

I just want to add my favorite: Rename Master

This utility will add, remove, or replace parts of the filename with ease and also supports renaming via file properties, MP3 tags, JPEG JFIF and EXIF tags, Video tags, and text files. Batch renaming that's simple to use, yet still very powerful.

Features

• Portable mode
• Intelligent number sorting
• Full Unicode filename support
• File and folder renaming
• Custom filelist columns
• Auto-Preview
• Subfolder Scanning to rename files in multiple folder
• Renaming Variables for JPEG/MP3/Video tags, file properties, counters, and more
• Scripts to save commonly used renaming options
• [*] and [?] command prompt style wildcards, or full Regular Expression support
• Optional Explorer integration for right-clicking on files/folders or using "Send To"
• Case Changing and Textfile importing
• Command line options for batch renaming

Answer 8

I had a related requirement.

CAUTION:
Take a backup of the folder on which you are trying the below commands.

---

Example 1:

CAUTION: This command overwrites a part of the existing file name

If you have only two files in a directory:

This is file 1.txt  
This is file 2.txt  

and if you run:

rename "\*.\*" "abc-\*.\*"  

Then, the files get changed to:

abc- is file 1.txt  
abc- is file 2.txt  

---

Example 2:

CAUTION: This command deletes a part of the existing file name

If you have only two files in a directory:

This is file 1.txt  
This is file 2.txt  

and if you run:

rename "T\*.\*" "/\*.\*"  

Then, the files get changed to:

his is file 1.txt  
his is file 2.txt

Answer 9

I was looking to svn rename a bunch of files with some common text. As I already had cygwin installed I ended up running bash:

bash-3.1$ for i in ipad_*; do svn rename $i ${i/ipad_}; done

I know TortoiseSVN sometimes prompts for common replacements but not in this case.

Answer 10

Go to cmd.exe and type in:

REN "Radiohead*.mp3" "*.mp3"

(With Quotes)

Answer 11

There's plenty of software out available specifically for doing this with music files. One example I've used is Tag&Rename. If you're looking for a general utility to use with any type of file, I'm sure they exist as well. But I don't have any examples off the top of my head.