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 :
- How to use Windows command line to change file extension of multiple files
- How to use Total Commander to change file extension of multiple files
- How to use Multi-File Renamer to change file extension of multiple files
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 UI → type 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
Command Prompt ren command syntax for renaming file extensions
Wait a second till Windows renames the 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
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
Go to the Files menu and select Multi-Rename Tool... option. You can also use Ctrl+M shortcut.
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.
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
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
Type new file extension to text box and click on OK button.
Change/Add file extension option
You will see a Preview window with information about old and new file names.
Multi-file Renamer Preview window
Click on Do It button and wait until the the renaming job is finished.