Renaming a file in Windows 10 or earlier versions of Windows is quite easy. You just to have to right-click on the file that you want to rename, click Rename option, type a new name for the file and finally, press the enter key to save the new file name.
There is a better or faster way to rename a file in Windows operating system using keyboard shortcuts. After selecting a file, you can press the F2 key on the keyboard to begin entering the new name for the file.
The F2 hotkey comes in handy, especially when you need to rename multiple files. After selecting a bunch of files, you can press the F2 key, enter a name for selected files and then press Enter key. Windows will automatically add 1, 2, 3 to the end of these file names. But how to rename multiple files and specify a different name for each file quickly in Windows 10/8/7?
Rename multiple files quickly in Windows 10/8/7
You can easily rename multiple files in Windows without any third-party software very quickly. Follow the given below directions to quickly rename multiple files and specify a different name for each file.
NOTE: This method can also be used to quickly rename multiple folders in in Windows 10/8/7.
Step 1: Open up the folder containing files that you want to quickly rename.
Step 2: Select the first file in the list, press the F2 key to rename.
Step 3: After entering a new name for the file, press Tab key instead of pressing the Enter key. This will not only save the new file name but will also automatically select and initiate a rename for the next file as well.
And if you want to skip a file, simply press the Tab key twice. For instance, if you want to rename only the first and third file, press the Tab key twice after renaming the first file to select and rename the third file/folder.
In short to rename multiple files, select the first file, press F2, enter a name, press Tab key to select and rename the second file, enter a name for the second file, press Tab key to select and rename the third file, enter a name and then press Tab key to save the name, select the fourth file and rename it.
Did you know that you can use Ctrl + Shift + N keyboard shortcut to create a new folder in Windows 7/8/10?
coffee-turtle says
All very good tips! Thanks
I was actually upset when I first installed Win10 way back when and discovered that Alt+F+W+F didn’t work any longer. It wasn’t that intuitive, but something I committed to memory and used often.
Not having to resort to the mouse while I’m already typing will be a time saver in both of your tips!