CNET Editors' review
Bulk Rename Utility takes the pain out of renaming and managing files and folders, assuming you can get past the frightening user interface. This free application can handle everything from simple search-and-replace to Perl 5 regular expressions, but it suffers from a cluttered user interface that fails to offer tool tips and, somewhat incredibly, abbreviates labels and button names.
The application window offers 13 primary functions, including inserting and appending text, auto-numbering, cropping characters, and moving/copying files. Additional menu bar drop-downs let you set global options, such as time stamp formats, color-coding, and activity logging. Bulk Rename Utility tries to help by offering a comprehensive Help file (although it hardly sets the mind at ease when the Getting Started section starts with DO NOT PANIC!!!! in large red letters). The application also pops Confirmation dialogs by default. But we found that experimentation was the best way to learn the program: The interface displays both the original file name along with what the end product would be if you were to make the changes you have proposed. The target file name is updated as you fill in the application's poorly labeled text fields, drop-down menus, and check boxes, but no changes are made until you click the Rename button.
Bulk Rename Utility provides a great and lightning-fast way to manipulate file and folder names in bulk. Its capability to handle file attributes, metadata, and sophisticated regular expressions make it appropriate for power users as well as those with simpler needs. Unfortunately, its poor interface means that new users will likely lack the fortitude to learn the ins and outs of this program.
Publisher's Description
From Jim Willsher:
A utility to rename files and folders with extremely flexible criteria. Process subfolders, add date stamps, add auto-numbers, perform search and replace, perform regular-expressions, and change timestamps. The software is available in a native 64-bit version for enhanced performance.
What's new in this version: Version 2.7.1.2 adds ability to browse for folder in "jump to path" action and treat EXIF timestamps individually.
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All versions:
4.6 starsout of 56 votes
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Current version:
4.5 starsout of 22 votes
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My rating:
Write review
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"Brilliant. No more batch-file renaming."
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Very comprehensive: It can handle all your bath renaming needs.
Cons
UI looks tricky at first. It essentially strives to show you all it can do in a single window, which can be quite overwhelming and is almost invariably unnecessary. A few simple tabs at the top -splitting renaming tasks into different categories - would help.
Summary
DON'T PANIC!!! It can do it. So can you. :P
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"Very Fast and easy to use."
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Amazingly fast for bulk rename.
Cons
No themes suitable to windows 7
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"Free and powerful. Renames hundreds of files quickly."
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Renames hundreds of files or just one at a time. You can make almost any kind of naming selection or change possible. It can replace, add or subtract characters. You can add characters as a suffix or prefix. You see instantly what the changes are and can easily change your options if you don't like what you started with. If you make a mistake, your file directory is still in the window and you can easily correct the filenames. And it's free! I would pay for it if it were not.
Cons
The screen is chock full of selection options (which I think is also a pro). This may intimidate some, but all you need to do is carefully read all the selection options and play with them.
Summary
This is one of the most useful programs on my desktop. I love it. You can select 1 or 1000 files to rename at one time. I add numbering to distinguish files that have the same name. And it's free!
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"Amazingly powerful/flexible, but easy to use"
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Allows for easy prefix/suffix, replace text, change to upper/lower case, change extension, wildcard file spec, prrview, rename folders, copy newfilenames to different folder.
Cons
None. All options are on one window, scary when you look at all the possible choices. Many may be safely ignored at first for simple, common tasks, so it is easy to learn. However, if you want to do something tricky/clever, there are tools for that.
Summary
I've had the 'File Renamer' utility installed for a couple of years, but seldom use it because it was tedious for me to use. The BRU is immediately easy to use.
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"Very easy to use but powerful rename utility"
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Was able to rename files with varying file names but with sequential numbers to one file name with sequential numbers. They were file names for downloaded movie files.
Cons
None that I can think of.
Summary
To change file names to a standard file name with sequential numbers as the suffix:
1. Navigate to and highlight the file names.
2. In the "File 2" section, select "Keep" and enter the new name.
3. in the "Numbering 10" section, select mode=Suffix, Start=1, Pad=2, Incr=1. This will add suffix counter numbers like 01, 02, 03, etc.
4. The proposed new names are listed in the top right window pane next to the original file names. So one can verify that the proper counter suffix number matches the original file.
5. Click "Rename" and the changes are made. -
"Great product and easy to use despite cluttered screen"
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Simple to use after a quick look
Plenty of option for the adventurous
Gives warning before changes are made (this can be turned off for confident usersCons
User interface will scare some user early on
Have to do sub folders separatelySummary
Even though the interface has so many options squash together they are mostly clearly labelled with there purpose. If you just ignore what you don't want to use the easy of use is great
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"Works as advertised"
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Easy to use! Undo function is great.
Cons
Not much you can't do
Summary
Get it.
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"Outstanding"
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
Easy to use, fast, right-click action from Windows folder, preview name changes before finalizing, many options for how to alter names (add, replace, etc)
Cons
Honestly, none. The interface is gritty but I love it.
Summary
LOVE IT!!!! Nerd happiness. This program has saved me hours upon hours in just a week of use. THANK YOU to the designers!!!
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"This is da bomb"
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
This guy thought of everything.
Cons
The interface is terrifying. But, once you figure you how to use it, it rocks. Just keep playing with it and read the heading carefully. Everything is sectioned off logically.
Summary
This software has saved me so much time. When scanning docs single sidedly, you get 1 3 5 7... and then 100, 98, 96... This software easily renames your pages to 1, 2, 3, 4, ... 98, 99, 100. Awesome!
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"works for my purposes"
Version: Bulk Rename Utility 2.7.1.2
Pros
simple and fast to use - see my bottom line summary
Cons
none that I have encountered
Summary
There must be a better way but this works for me.
I like to purchase and then listen to audiobooks in MP3 format. Many audiobooks, depending upon the title, are not available in MP3, my first choice of formats.
Consequently, when I purchase an audiobook in the standard CDA format I follow the following procedure. First, I rip it to my Hard Drive changing the format to MP3 while doing so. Next, I burn it to a disc. Sometimes these discs play without difficulties but frequently my CD MP3 player plays the files according to the numbering system on the original tracks irrespective of which disc it came from.
I am trying different solutions simultaneously (I know, if one works and solves the problem and the other doesn't I will never know which one solved the problem.) these solutions are:
1) Rename all the files into the sequence that I want them played and then place them into one folder. (I did this manually until I discovered Bulk Rename Utility, a free program which works perfectly for my purposes.
2) Create playlists using Playlist Creator 3.6.2
3) Burn all the files, including the playlists, to a CD using Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 Free Edition.
That's it.
I spent many hours, and a few ruined discs trying to figure out how to accomplish this task. Now that I know, this solution is fast, simple and easy.
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