Does Windows have a built-in batch renamer?

File Explorer's multi-select F2 rename handles simple sequential renaming natively. For find/replace or regex renaming, install the free Microsoft PowerToys utility PowerRename.

Is PowerToys safe and official?

Yes, PowerToys is an official, open-source Microsoft project distributed via GitHub and the Microsoft Store.

Can I undo a batch rename?

PowerRename doesn't have a one-click global undo, though Windows' Ctrl+Z immediately after a rename in Explorer can revert the last operation. For PowerShell renames, there's no automatic undo — test with -WhatIf first.

Can I batch rename using regular expressions without installing anything?

PowerShell's Rename-Item with -replace supports regex out of the box with no extra install, though it requires writing a short script rather than using a GUI.

Batch File Renamer Tools for Windows

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Windows has several free, built-in ways to rename many files at once, from File Explorer's basic multi-select rename to PowerToys' regex-capable PowerRename and full PowerShell scripting.

Updated August 9, 2026 · PC Utility Hub Editorial Team

File Explorer's built-in multi-rename

Select multiple files in File Explorer, press F2 (or right-click > Rename) on the first one, and Windows renames all selected files to the same base name with an incrementing number in parentheses, e.g., Vacation (1).jpg, Vacation (2).jpg. This is fast for simple sequential renaming but offers no find-and-replace, no regex, and no preview.

PowerToys PowerRename

Microsoft PowerToys, a free official set of Windows utilities, includes PowerRename, a right-click context-menu tool for bulk renaming with search-and-replace, regular expression support, a live preview of the resulting filenames before you commit, and the ability to apply changes to files, folders, or both recursively.

Install PowerToys from the official Microsoft GitHub repository (microsoft/PowerToys) or the Microsoft Store. This site is independent and not affiliated with Microsoft.

Using PowerRename

1Install PowerToys and confirm PowerRename is enabled in its settings (it's on by default).
2In File Explorer, select the files to rename, right-click, and choose PowerRename.
3Enter a search term and replacement, optionally toggling 'Use regular expressions' for pattern-based renaming.
4Review the live preview column showing the new names.
5Click Rename to apply.

PowerShell for scripted or complex renames

For renaming logic that goes beyond find-and-replace — conditional renaming based on file dates, extensions, or numbering with custom padding — PowerShell's Rename-Item combined with Get-ChildItem gives full scripting control.

Get-ChildItem *.jpg | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.Name -replace 'IMG','Vacation' }
$i = 1; Get-ChildItem *.png | ForEach-Object { Rename-Item $_ ("Photo_{0:D3}.png" -f $i++) }

Test any renaming script on a copy of the files first, or use -WhatIf with Rename-Item to preview changes without applying them.

Comparison

Tool	Best for	Regex support
File Explorer F2	Quick sequential rename of a handful of files	No
PowerToys PowerRename	Find/replace or regex rename with a visual preview	Yes
PowerShell Rename-Item	Custom logic, large batches, automation/scripting	Yes (via -replace)

Avoiding common renaming mistakes

Back up or copy files before a large batch rename, especially with regex, since a bad pattern can produce duplicate names or silently overwrite files sharing a resulting name. Always check a preview (PowerRename shows one natively; PowerShell scripts should use -WhatIf) before committing to hundreds of files.

Frequently asked questions

Does Windows have a built-in batch renamer?: File Explorer's multi-select F2 rename handles simple sequential renaming natively. For find/replace or regex renaming, install the free Microsoft PowerToys utility PowerRename.
Is PowerToys safe and official?: Yes, PowerToys is an official, open-source Microsoft project distributed via GitHub and the Microsoft Store.
Can I undo a batch rename?: PowerRename doesn't have a one-click global undo, though Windows' Ctrl+Z immediately after a rename in Explorer can revert the last operation. For PowerShell renames, there's no automatic undo — test with -WhatIf first.
Can I batch rename using regular expressions without installing anything?: PowerShell's Rename-Item with -replace supports regex out of the box with no extra install, though it requires writing a short script rather than using a GUI.