Rename Files Six Ways to Sunday

excellent
key review info
application features
  • More than 10 customizable file renaming rules
  • (6 more, see all...)

ReNamer comes with an extraordinary set of features that offer utmost flexibility when it comes to altering names of computer files. Batch renaming gets carried out swiftly with the user knowing beforehand what the result will be.

Changing the name for multiple files can be an ugly chore if done with the wrong tools. Plenty of websites recommend users instruments such as Windows Explorer which can be of help if you want a serialized name for all the files. However, more elaborate jobs require more powerful applications, but not necessarily more complicated to harness.

ReNamer is a freebie bent to offer an easy and quick way to modify filenames without requiring strong computer knowledge from the user. It is portable, so no installation is required. As soon as you start it for the very first time the app offers to provide the user manual or a quick start guide for instructions on how to use it.

Working with the application is quite simple as the steps imply adding your files and defining the renaming rules. However, the flexibility of the rules is what counts in such program; and ReNamer does not seem to come short of this.

In ReNamer functionality prevails over looks, as the interface has been designed with no frills. Files and folders can be dropped in the lower panel, while in the upper window you get to set the name altering rules. And these come as elaborate as they can, covering the needs of both beginners and advanced computer users.

The set of rules is elaborate and comprises the possibility to remove or change specific characters from the original filename, add a suffix or prefix, change cases or even the file extensions. If none of the renaming options present in the application fit your needs, the application offers you the possibility to create a script and add it as a rule through PascalScript (uses Delphi/Pascal syntax).

However, you do not have to be a code master to use the PascalScript as the menu there is already packed with preset scripts ready to be used. These represent an automatic way to add variables to the filename such as current date and time and serialize duplicates or you can use them to encrypt filenames.

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Support for regular expressions is also available in this nifty freebie if you want to modify text patterns. The key to them is in the help file that comes with the program.

For the users that do not need such complicated methods to change the name of a file, the rest of the rules are perfect. Some of them even let you use meta tags (and the list contains 80+ choices) such as ID3v1, ID3v2, EXIF, OLE, AVI, MD5, SHA1 or CRC32.

The set of file naming tricks the program can be used for absolutely any operation that could come to your mind because each of the rules available come with granular control. Thus, a simple job of inserting new characters features choices such as where you want them added: as a prefix, as a suffix, in a specific position (right-to-left or left-to-right), after specific text or before specific text.

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If you want to clear the file name of symbols or digits, ReNamer can do it in a snap, whether they are symbols or brackets. And if the character you’re trying to eliminate is not among the presets, you can add it yourself.

All the changes you operate can be previewed before applying. In the main application window you’ll see the original file name complete with extension right next to the new name. If you have some items that cannot be handled automatically with the use of the rules, you can switch to manual and make the changes yourself.

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Customizing the way the application acts is not tough job either. The menus available allow you to enable any conflicts or warnings in case an action cannot be carried out from preview stage. Also, automatic actions can be scheduled to occur in the case of successful renaming, such as closing the program, clear the rules or the processed files.

Though the program works extremely fast (during our tests it processed 80 files in a blink of the eye), its performance can be improved when working with tons of items by giving up meta tag support in the Settings panel.

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The Good

The app has a very small impact on system resources when processing the files and moves at amazing speeds. File renaming possibilities are beyond any average user’s needs.

Support for regular expressions, scripting and the granular control of the rules tackle any file rename scenario. Previewing makes it easy for you to decide whether rename process receives green light or not. Alerts are displayed in case of any errors straight from the preview stage.

The Bad

Looks are the only drawback of the program, but not even this can be taxed given the functionality of the program.

The Truth

Despite the interface being intuitive enough for any sort of user to get around without too much effort ReNamer also makes available a help file complete with all the instructions necessary to successfully carry out file rename operations.

During our tests the application worked flawlessly and we could not put it in the corner no matter how hard we tried. More complicated rename operations required more complicated rules or combinations, but the job always got done.

user interface 5
features 5
ease of use 5
pricing / value 5


final rating 5
Editor's review
excellent