How to change file extension of multiple files in Microsoft Windows

It is very annoying, when you need to change extension of multiple files one by one. Luckily, there are possibilities how to do this job easy in just a few minutes and we will show you some of them.

This guide contains three parts :

You can select your the way that fits you best to change file extension of multiple files.

Use Windows command line to change file extension of multiple files

The easiest way how to change file extensions of multiple files without other software is to use command line.

Open Windows Explorer, create a new folder and copy files that will be renamed to it.

Open command line Start → Accessories → Command line or type cmd.exe to Start menu search bar. In Windows 8 open Metro UItype cmd and press Enter.

Navigate to the folder where files are stored and type command:

ren *.old file extension *.new file extension or ren *.* *.new file extension

in our case:

ren *.jpeg *.jpg

Windows command line ren file extensions
Command Prompt ren command syntax for renaming file extensions
 

Wait a second till Windows renames the file extensions.

Windows command line renamed file extensions
Command Prompt renamed file extensions
 

Use Total Commander to change file extension of multiple files

Disadvantage of the first guide is to have basic knowledge about Windows Command line and its commands. Total Commander for Windows is free and much more comfortable file manager that also contains handy utility for renaming multiple files called Multi-Rename Tool.

Total Commander for Windows
Total Commander
 

Start Total Commander. Navigate to the folder, where are stored files that will be renamed.

Select files by Ins key. If you want to rename all files in the folder you can use * key, or Ctrl+A shortcut to select all files.

Total commander select files
Total Commander select files
 

Go to the Files menu and select Multi-Rename Tool... option. You can also use Ctrl+M shortcut.

Total Commander Multi-Rename Tool
Total Commander open Multi-Rename Tool
 

Click in the Extension box, delete the [E] option and type a new file extension, which you want to associate with multiple files.

Total Commander Multi-Rename Tool
Multi-Rename Tool main window
 

Click on Start! button and wait until the Total Commander will rename files.

Use Multi-File Renamer to change file extension of multiple files

There are many free and paid stand-alone file renamers with various features, but we have selected one that is small, free and easy to use for our topic. It is called Multi-File Renamer and is available for free download on JJC Software website. It is distributed as a simple ZIP archive without installation application.

Start Multi-File Renamer and navigate to the folder, where are stored files for renaming.

Multi-File Renamer main window
Multi-File Renamer main window
 

Select files by Shift+mouse click, Ctrl+mouse click, or all files with Ctrl+A shortcut and select Change/Add File Extension option in Replace/Remove tab. Click on Rename button.

Multi-File Renamer select files
Multi-File Renamer select files
 

Type new file extension to text box and click on OK button.

Change File extension is Multi-File Renamer
Change/Add file extension option
 

You will see a Preview window with information about old and new file names.

Preview window
Multi-file Renamer Preview window

Click on Do It button and wait until the the renaming job is finished.

 

 

Related software and links:

Microsoft Windows icon

Microsoft Windows    Microsoft Windows platform
A series of operating systems developed by Microsoft

 
Total Commander icon

Total Commander    Microsoft Windows platform
Highly popular file manager for Windows

 

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