Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

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Jawpack
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 12:35 pm

Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by Jawpack »

Is there a way to batch search a lot of filenames that are totally different at the same time?

In other words, if I have files named, A, B, C, D, E, g, etc, can I copy all of the filenames at the same time and paste them into Everything and find all of the files? I want to change the file extensions back after batch renaming them. I initially renamed them by entering the file extension.

But now, searching using the extension I changed them to isn't feasible because there were already three times the amount of files with that extension before I changed them.
raccoon
Posts: 1017
Joined: Thu Oct 18, 2018 1:24 am

Re: Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by raccoon »

I see two questions.

1) You want to search for a list of files. For this use File Lists (Everything 1.5 Alpha)

2) You want to rename a bunch of files. For this use Advanced Move / Advanced Rename.

I recommend installing the latest 1.5 Alpha build because it gives you the ability to search for an entire list of files very easily, and it lets you use wildcards if you are unsure what the file extensions are going to be for that list of filenames.

Copy your text list of filenames (with or without wildcards) from Notepad into your clipboard with Ctrl+C. In Everything 1.5, type the verb filelist0: and hit the F2 key, then press Ctrl+V after the File List dialog appears. This should populate the File List then hit Ok. You should now see all matching files.

Select the files that you want to rename. Then select Edit > Advanced > Advanced Rename or Advanced Move to Folder (same thing). Bulk renaming is tricky business that requires a mind like a steel trap. :)
Jawpack
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 12:35 pm

Re: Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by Jawpack »

It's not quite working.

1. I don't know what I did, but now after hitting Ctrl+V, the list doesn't show. I then figured out that I have to use the pulldown on the right of the search box to populate the list. However, sometimes that won't work.

2. Once the list is populated and I go through the steps to rename the files, I see in the New Format box a prefix, (at the moment all of the files I'm attempting to change the file extension for have the same prefix) with %1-%2 after it. The first time I tried, I saw the file extension and changed it, but nothing happened.

After that, I no longer see a file extension in the New Format box. Just %1-%2.

3. When I tried to test it using a different list of names, (none of which have the same prefix) it won't enter it. It will only show the previous list of names that all have the same prefix even after deleting them. I saw that the previous list is in the file history.

BTW, I don't know if it matters, but I have several instances of the regular Everything open.
Jawpack
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 12:35 pm

Re: Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by Jawpack »

EVERYONE BEWARE! I found out what the problem was!

I have two external drives that are FAT. In regular Everything, I had to add them in Tools > Options > (Under Indexes) Folders, because if they are not added, they cannot be seen when using Everything. Then I enabled Attempt to monitor changes.

What made me find out what the problem was is when I searched for one of the filename entries using Everything 1.5 Alpha build and it wouldn't show, but regular Everything shows the file.

I then checked 1.5 Alpha build Tools > Options > (Under Indexes) FAT and nothing was there. I then added the two FAT external drives and enabled
Automatically include new fixed volumes
Automatically include new removable volumes
Automatically remove offline volumes

I didn't add anything in 1.5 Alpha build Tools > Options > (Under Indexes) Folders since it has the FAT feature under Indexes. Regular Everything doesn't have FAT under Indexes.

For some reason, after using F2, then Okay, the filenames still only appear when I click Folder under the Search tab. Or if Everything is clicked, it only shows folders with the filename entries. IT WILL NOT SHOW VIDEO FILENAMES EVEN THOUGH THE FILENAMES ARE ALL FOR VIDEO, and the ones that have the same filename for a folder will show when Folder is clicked.

Under the Search tab, to reduce the number of similar entries, I also enabled:

Match Case
Match Diacritics
Match Whole Word
Match Path
Match Prefix
Match Suffix

So, in light of that, I copy and paste via right-click instead of Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V.

Then after that, it works.

BTW, I think when I said, "The first time I tried, I saw the file extension and changed it, but nothing happened." it did in fact change the extension. I think I didn't see it because it only changed a few of the filename extensions that were not on my external FAT drives.

I saw them once I was able to see all of the filename entries I copied into Everything 1.5 Alpha build which shows all of the file extensions once I added and enabled the above things I mentioned.

I also figured out that when the file extension doesn't show up after trying to rename them, it’s because there are different file extensions in the filename entries.

So why don’t video filenames show in the list when Video is clicked after using F2, Ctrl+C, and Ctrl+V? Am I missing a step somewhere?
void
Developer
Posts: 16841
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by void »

So why don’t video filenames show in the list when Video is clicked after using F2, Ctrl+C, and Ctrl+V? Am I missing a step somewhere?
Is Regex enabled? please make sure Regex is disabled from the Search menu.
Jawpack
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 12:35 pm

Re: Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by Jawpack »

I don't see Regex anywhere in Everything 1.5 Alpha build. It's disabled in regular Everything. Where would I find Regex in the 1.5 Alpha build?
void
Developer
Posts: 16841
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by void »

Search -> Regular Expressions.
Jawpack
Posts: 52
Joined: Mon Nov 07, 2016 12:35 pm

Re: Batch Change File Extension Using Different File Names?

Post by Jawpack »

It's turned off by default. I clicked/checked on it, and Folders didn't work either. I unchecked it.

Is the F2, Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Okay, issue a bug? I was having various issues with my other profile because of Intel and Windows updates. I would be in total shock if this is a PC problem because the reason I'm doing this is that I just finished going through the painstaking process of setting up a new Windows profile a few days ago, and so far, all of my other programs work perfectly.

One of the main problems I had on the other profile is a thumbnail cache issue. Several file extensions (especially .avi) caused the CPU to run high and would crash a program I use frequently, so I had to change them to .mkv using Everything. Now, I'm in the process of changing them back and I no longer have the problem.

Windows just put updates on my PC yesterday.
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