Editing large volume of file names

Mikew365 · Sep 27, 2025

I lost a large volume of mp3 files but have recovered them from a backup disk. However, each mp3 file has been renamed. Here is example:
Cheers Theme Tune (2025_09_02 18_47_10 UTC).mp3
Is there a batch file (or any other means) that could delete everything in brackets, even if only on a file by file basis? By the way, the date in the brackets, changes, being the date it was saved to backup. Thank you.

antspants · Sep 27, 2025

Bulk Rename Utility

antspants · Sep 27, 2025

You need to open the folder tree on the top left then the folder containing the .mp3's to be renamed.
Then select all files that are to be renamed
Select "Preview" to double check
Click Rename
Agree to changes

The blank space should be automatically removed also, between (my example) Document and (

Bulk Rename Utility is free for non commercial use.

Winuser · Sep 27, 2025

antspants said:
Bulk Rename Utility

I forgot all about that program. I used a few years back and it worked great. Even though I'm not planning on doing any bulk file renaming I'm going to download it so I can have it handy for if I ever do need to use it again.

Jorgen E · Sep 27, 2025

Total Commander - home

Homepage of Total Commander, a file manager replacement for Windows 95/98/NT/2000/XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10/11

www.ghisler.com

Total Commander - can do it all and a lot more. Has used it a lot for musicfiles

antspants · Sep 27, 2025

In fact after entering the Crop > Special > (*)
Selecting all files that need to be renamed should show what is going to be removed if you proceed, it highlights the changes and shows you the new name before you select "Rename"

garlin · Sep 27, 2025

Trimming a filename by [N] characters is kinda hazardous if you ask me.

A regular expression sounds more safe.

Code:

\s*\(\d{4}_\d{2}_\d{2} \d{2}_\d{2}_\d{2} UTC\)

Winuser · Sep 27, 2025

garlin said:
Trimming a filename by [N] characters is kinda hazardous if you ask me.

A regular expression sounds more safe.

Code:

\s*\(\d{4}_\d{2}_\d{2} \d{2}_\d{2}_\d{2} UTC\)

Do you really expect a computer novice to even know what the heck you're talking about?

antspants · Sep 27, 2025

Firstly, there is nothing at all wrong with the app I mentioned, nor is there anything wrong with the entry of (*) to remove what the member wants to remove, backed up by the fact you can view the changes before you rename.

Dumping a heap of code

Code:

W\T\F\R\U\ON\M8\

Without any guidance or mention that you can’t review the changes before they are made, is as useful as teets on a bull.

Winuser · Sep 27, 2025

antspants said:
Firstly, there is nothing at all wrong with the app I mentioned, nor is there anything wrong with the entry of (*) to remove what the member wants to remove, backed up by the fact you can view the changes before you rename.

Dumping a heap of code

Code:

W\T\F\R\U\ON\M8\

Without any guidance or mention that you can’t review the changes before they are made, is as useful as teets on a bull.

I prefer (as useful as windshield wipers on a duck's a**).

Winuser · Sep 27, 2025

Winuser said:
Do you really expect a computer novice to even know what the heck you're talking about?

Giving it more thought, if they did, we wouldn't need the MS Windows OS. Command prompts, full speed ahead.

garlin · Sep 27, 2025

You guys need to chill. Because I was headed out the door, I wanted to make sure nobody regretted having a filename accidentally truncated because you're suggested a too simple search pattern. When working with many files, it's better to use the most specific pattern match.

Bulk Rename Utility highlights on their web site, that it supports Regular Expressions (advanced search patterns).

If you don't know how to write one, their FAQ explains more:

Regular Expressions are a powerful method for manipulating file names. Please see the help file for detailed information.
Need help? Use our Regex Assistant to generate expressions from plain language instructions.

Example:
To turn Invoice 2025 - Client Name.pdf into Client Name - Invoice 2025.pdf, just type:
"Swap text on both sides of the hyphen, preserving spaces." The assistant will then generate the appropriate regular expression.

And guess what, the Regex Assistant does a pretty good job:

Mikew365 · Sep 28, 2025

Thank you all gents for your suggestions and help. I have used the Bulk ReName Utility and used the code or script from Regex Assistant. All worked wonderfully well and, as a bonus, I've discovered so music in the files I haven't heard for many years. Thank you all.

antspants · Sep 28, 2025

(*) does exactly that. But Garlin knows best. I am glad you sorted it.

antspants · Sep 28, 2025

garlin said:
You guys need to chill. Because I was headed out the door, I wanted to make sure nobody regretted having a filename accidentally truncated because you're suggested a too simple search pattern. When working with many files, it's better to use the most specific pattern match.

Bulk Rename Utility highlights on their web site, that it supports Regular Expressions (advanced search patterns).

View attachment 146834

If you don't know how to write one, their FAQ explains more:

And guess what, the Regex Assistant does a pretty good job:

View attachment 146833

Much better post than dumping

Code:

W\T\F\R\U\ON\M8\

Into a post. Congrats

garlin · Sep 28, 2025

(*) is not a safe search pattern, because you could have song named:

Cheers Theme Tune (Remastered) (2025_09_02 18_47_10 UTC).mp3 -> Cheers Theme Tune.mp3

Editing large volume of file names

Well-known member

My Computer

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Active member

My Computer

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Well-known member

My Computer

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Like a rolling drone.

My Computers

Well-known member

My Computer

Similar threads