A Windows desktop application for batch renaming files and folders. Built with Python and PySide6, File Rename offers pattern-based renaming, regex, date/time tokens, and a live preview — with ZIP backups and path protection to keep your data safe.
- Batch rename files and folders in one pass.
- Rename modes:
- Add — prefix or suffix text to names.
- Find and replace — substitute text (plain or regex).
- Change extension — bulk-set a new extension.
- Add number — sequential numbering with a configurable start value and step.
- Regex support with a case-sensitivity toggle.
- File-type filtering:
- All files.
- Common categories (30+ built-in groups: documents, images, video, audio, archives, code, and more).
- Custom extension list.
- Folder support — optionally include folder names in the rename pass.
- Subdirectory scan — recurse into nested directories when needed.
- Real-time preview — color-coded table showing original vs. new names before you commit.
- Internationalization — English (
en_US) and Portuguese–Brazil (pt_BR).
- ZIP backup of the target directory before renaming (optional, recommended).
- Protected paths — refuses to operate on system locations such as
C:\Windows,Program Files,ProgramData,AppData, andSystem Volume Information. - Hidden file and folder skipping.
- Visual preview with row highlighting for files that will change.
Insert the current date or time into any rename pattern:
| Token | Meaning |
|---|---|
{%D} |
Day |
{%M} |
Month |
{%Y} |
Year |
{%H} |
Hour |
{%I} |
Minute |
- Python 3.14+ (per
pyproject.toml) - Windows (the app targets Windows paths and protected directories)
- uv is recommended for dependency management
git clone https://github.com/victobriel/File-Rename.git
cd File-Rename
uv sync
uv run python main.pyuv sync installs the exact versions pinned in uv.lock. uv run executes the app inside the managed virtual environment.
If you prefer pip, create a virtual environment and install the runtime dependencies manually:
git clone https://github.com/victobriel/File-Rename.git
cd File-Rename
python -m venv .venv
.venv\Scripts\activate
pip install "pyside6>=6.11.0" "pandas>=3.0.2"
python main.pyThere is no requirements.txt — the dependency list lives in pyproject.toml.
- Open a folder — click the folder icon or use
File > Open Folderand pick the target directory. - Configure options — toggle subdirectory scan, include folders, and enable backup (recommended).
- Select file types:
- All files — every entry is eligible.
- Common files — pick from predefined categories.
- Specific files — type custom extensions and press
Enterto add each one.
- Choose a rename rule — Add, Replace, Change Extension, or Add Number.
- Preview changes — review the New Name column. Rows that will change are highlighted.
- Apply — click Rename and confirm.
Add prefix
Original: photo.jpg
Rule: Add "vacation_" (prefix)
Result: vacation_photo.jpg
Sequential numbering
Original: document.pdf, report.pdf, memo.pdf
Rule: Add Number, start 1, step 1, format "({n})"
Result: (1)document.pdf, (2)report.pdf, (3)memo.pdf
Insert the current date via tokens
Original: report.docx
Rule: Replace "report" with "Report_{%Y}-{%M}-{%D}"
Result: Report_2026-04-20.docx
Timestamped log names using minute/hour tokens
Original: log.txt
Rule: Add "{%Y}{%M}{%D}_{%H}{%I}_" (prefix)
Result: 20260420_1435_log.txt
Remember: {%I} is minute, not an index. {%H} is hour in 24-hour form.
Change extension
Original: file.txt
Rule: Change extension to "md"
Result: file.md
Regex replace
Original: IMG_20240101_001.jpg
Rule: Replace "IMG_(\d{8})_(\d{3})" with "Photo_$1"
Result: Photo_20240101.jpg
Enter— adds the typed extension in the Specific Files field.
Settings are stored in config.ini:
[config]
backup = False ; Create a ZIP backup before renaming
language = en_US ; UI language: en_US or pt_BR
encoding = utf-8 ; File encoding
[paths]
protect_paths = True ; Refuse to operate on protected directories
protected = C:/Windows,C:/Program Files,C:/ProgramData,AppData,System Volume InformationThe Common files filter includes 30+ categories, such as:
- Documents — Word, PDF, text, spreadsheets, presentations
- Images — JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, SVG, WebP
- Video — MP4, AVI, MKV, MOV, WebM
- Audio — MP3, WAV, FLAC, OGG, AAC
- Archives — ZIP, RAR, 7Z, TAR, GZ
- Code — Python, JavaScript, Java, C/C++, and more
Important: batch renames are destructive in the sense that the original names are gone once applied. Review every run.
- Test on a small batch first.
- Keep Protect Paths enabled.
- Enable Backup for anything that matters.
- Inspect the preview carefully before clicking Rename.
- Never point the app at system folders.
file-rename/
├── main.py # Entry point: launches MainWindow
├── pyproject.toml # Project metadata and dependencies
├── uv.lock # Locked dependency graph (uv)
├── config.ini # User configuration
├── screenshots/
└── package/
├── configs/ # Config file loading
├── domain/ # Pure logic: rules, filters, tokens, entries
│ ├── rename_rules.py # Add / Replace / Change Extension / Add Number
│ ├── filters.py # File-type and visibility filters
│ ├── file_entry.py # Typed file record used across the app
│ └── tokens.py # Date/time token substitution
├── services/ # Side-effectful operations
│ ├── backup_service.py # ZIP backup creation
│ ├── file_scanner.py # Directory traversal
│ ├── rename_service.py # Applies planned renames
│ └── common_files_repository.py
├── views/ # Qt windows, controllers, presenters
│ ├── main_window.py # Top-level window wiring
│ ├── file_table_presenter.py
│ ├── progress_status.py
│ ├── message_boxes.py
│ ├── ui_translator.py # i18n glue
│ └── controllers/
├── ui/
│ └── ui_main.py # Generated Qt Designer layout
└── lang/ # Language resources
uv sync
uv run python main.py- Add a new rename rule: implement it in
package/domain/rename_rules.py, then wire it into the controller used bypackage/views/main_window.py. - Change file-scanning or filtering behavior:
package/domain/filters.pyandpackage/services/file_scanner.py. - Adjust backup logic:
package/services/backup_service.py. - Modify the window layout: the Qt Designer-generated layout lives in
package/ui/ui_main.py. Regenerate it from your.uifile rather than hand-editing if you use Qt Designer. - Add or update translations:
package/lang/and the glue code inpackage/views/ui_translator.py.
Pull requests and issues are welcome. Please keep changes focused and include a brief description of the problem and approach.
Error 0x0001 — Unable to access directory
- Check folder permissions.
- Temporarily disable antivirus software.
Error 0x0002 — Unable to load files
- Files may be open in another program.
- Verify read permissions.
Error 0x0003 — Unable to rename file
- The file may be in use by another program.
- Check write permissions.
- The new name may contain invalid characters.
v1.0.0
- Initial release
- Batch file and folder renaming
- Add, Replace, Change Extension, Add Number modes
- Regex support and date/time tokens
- ZIP backup and protected paths
- English and Portuguese (Brazil) translations
Licensed under the terms specified in the LICENSE file.
victobriel — @victobriel