How to rename files deleting the " character using the linux shell

Question

I have a number of files with double quotes in the filename like this:

"This_is_a_long_filename_with_quotes".mp3

I try to use the linux command rename, I can erase the underscore easily using

rename 's/_//g' *

but when I try with \" nothing happens (I use -n to see the changes):

rename -n 's/\"//g' *

nothing is renamed

thanks!

Answer 1

You have "smart quotes" in your file names:

“Tokyo_String_Quartet-Beethoven_-Late_String_Quartets-CD1-11-Quartet”.mp3 

Try the rename command with those inserted instead of "

Or without using rename you can do the sed option:

for f in *.mp3
    do
        new=$(echo $f | sed -E 's/[“”]//g')
        mv $f $new
    done

As with all batch shell operations using mv it is safest to test/run on a backup of the original folder... You can test by putting echo in place of mv when you first try it.

Answer 2

There is no need to escape escape double quote inside single guote.

rename -n 's/"//g' *

Answer 3

I was able to do it in Bash with this:

file=$(ls | grep \")
newName=$(echo $file | sed 's/\"//g')
mv $file $newName