How do I remove the same part of a file name for many files in Windows 7?

Question

Basically, I have an album of music and I want to remove the authors name from all of the mp3 files instead of having to manually do it myself. Is there a function in Windows 7 Ultimate that can do this for me?

Answer 1

This might work.

Create a batch file as follows:

for %i in ("FOO_name.mp3") do (set fname=%%i) & call :rename
goto :eof
:rename
::Cuts off 1st four chars, then appends prefix
ren "%fname%" "my%fname:~4%"
goto :eof

Source: http://www.codejacked.com/renaming-multiple-files-at-once-windows (in the comments, from "BlueNovember")

Answer 2

Try this software

http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Main_Intro.php

Bulk Rename Utility is a free file renaming software for Windows. Bulk Rename Utility allows you to easily rename files and entire folders based upon extremely flexible criteria. Add date/time stamps, replace numbers, insert text, convert case, add auto-numbers, process folders and sub-folders....plus a whole lot more! Rename multiple files quickly, according to many flexible criteria. Rename files in many ways: add, replace, insert text into file names. Convert case, add numbers. Remove or change file extensions. Check the detailed preview before renaming. Rename photos using EXIF meta data (i.e. "Date Picture Taken", "Resolution" and other information embedded in all JPG photo files) Rename your holiday pictures from a meaningless dsc1790.jpg to NewYork1.jpg in a flash. Rename MP3 files using ID3 tags (a.k.a. MP3 ID3 tag renaming). Change files' creation and modification time stamps. It's free. Easy to Install. Download and start renaming your files now!

Answer 3

There's plenty of software out available specifically for doing this with music files. One example I've used is Tag&Rename. If you're looking for a general utility to use with any type of file, I'm sure they exist as well. But I don't have any examples off the top of my head.

Answer 4

Other possibilities:

Ken Rename

Ant Renamer

Very quick and easy to use.

Answer 5

Since you are dealing with music files, forget about the batch file and utilities to rename your files. Use a dedicated program such as Mp3tag which is an absolute must if you're really into organizing your music.

Main features

Batch Tag Editing Write ID3v1.1, ID3v2.3, ID3v2.4, MP4, WMA, APEv2 Tags and Vorbis Comments to multiple files at once.

Support for Cover Art Download and add album covers to your files and make your library even more shiny.

Import from Amazon, discogs, freedb, MusicBrainz Save typing and import tags from online databases like Amazon, discogs, freedb, MusicBrainz, and more.

Replace characters or words Replace strings in tags and filenames (with support for Regular Expressions).

Create Playlists automatically Create and manage playlists automatically while editing.

Rename files from tags Rename files based on the tag information and import tags from filenames.

Export to HTML, RTF, CSV Generate nice reports and lists of your collection based on user-defined templates.

Full Unicode Support User-interface and tagging are fully Unicode compliant.

Besides these main features Mp3tag offers a variety of other functions and features ranging ranging from batch export of embedded album covers, over support for iTunes-specific tags like media type or TV Show settings, to combining multiple actions into groups that can be applied with a single mouse click.