How to rename files to parent folder name on Windows 10

Keeping files organized isn’t easy. You have to force yourself to get into the habit of giving files proper names, saving them to the right folder, and making sure you purge the files you no longer need. If you’re organizing older files, it’s best to look into file renaming utilities that can make it easier. A reasonably good approach to organizing files is to put all the related ones into a folder. You can then rename files to the parent folder name so that they’re easy to search for. The renaming can be tedious so here are two quick ways to rename files to parent folder name on Windows 10.

Windows rename function

This is a built-in function on Windows 10, whereby you can select all or multiple files in the folder and click the Rename button on the ribbon. This will enter the name edit mode for the last file and you can enter the new name, in this case the same name as the folder, and tap enter. Doing so will rename all files in the folder to the same name. Windows will avoid creating duplicates by adding a number at the end of files that have the same extension.

Bulk rename utility

If you prefer a utility handle all of this for you, we recommend using Bulk Rename Utility. It’s great regardless of how you need to rename files. You can rename them, or add to their current files names by appending something at the start or end of it.

Download, install, and run Bulk Rename Utility. The first thing you should do is go to the Renaming Options item on the app’s toolbar and select ‘Prevent Duplicates’.

Next, use the navigation column on the left to navigate to the folder you want to rename files to. We’re going to work under the presumption that you want to give all files inside the folder the same name as the folder itself. Once you’ve selected the folder, select all the files in it in the pane on the right.

Reference the screenshot below for what you need to do next. In the Name (2) field (1), open the Name dropdown and select Remove. In the Append Folder name field (2), open the dropdown next to the Name field and select Prefix, and finally, in the Filters section (3), select the Subfolders option. This will prevent subfolders from being renamed. You can leave this unchecked if you want subfolders to also be renamed to the parent folder name. Click the Rename button and accept the on-screen prompts/confirmations.

Bulk Rename Utility is a bit difficult to figure out because it can do quite a bit as far as renaming files is concerned. If you want to rename files and folders on some other naming pattern, this app will likely help you do it.

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Fatima Wahab

Fatima has been writing for AddictiveTips for six years. She began as a junior writer and has been working as the Editor in Chief since 2014. Fatima gets an adrenaline rush from figuring out how technology works, and how to manipulate it. A well-designed app, something that solves a common everyday problem and looks

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