How to automatically rename files with same name when copying files

The panel with choices of keep, replace or keep both will occur if copying files from one folder on a drive to the same-named or other folder on another drive that already contains some of the same files and if using keep both will append a number to the name or maybe something like (Copy).

A classic example of how frustrating Windows can be. This is the prime example why I swapped over to Tera Copy (freeware) to allow greater control when moving/copying files and name collisions occur.

Hey tom, how did you make your first listed banana stay listed above the two other ones? Yours are shown in chronological order, whereas for my version of Windows, it ALWAYS loves to list the "first" copy of whatever in a folder at the end of the list.



I understand if I add a (1) to the end of the first banana, then it would be listed correctly. But I want the "invisible (1)" to apply like in your pictures.


PS: I also agree with Tomcat. As long as you check BOTH in the copy/move over process, then both files will be put in that folder, with a different number to one of the copies.

Example: I have these bananas in a folder (wait since when did anyone place bananas in a folder? They gonna get all smushed up and leave a mess. Let's say my folder is a box)


Now I have another "Banana (2).txt" on my Desktop that I want to put with these nayners.
When asked, I select the last option:

And I check BOTH bananas:
(ignore the checkmarks above them. those get automatically selected if everything below those checkmarks get checked, which may not apply in big copies/moves/etc. So ignore if there are checkmarks or not all the way at the top. Don't worry about that. BUT also keep in mind that if you are planning to KEEP EVERY SINGLE FILE in the process, then theoretically, those checkboxes will get checked. OR to make things simpler, you can check those two top boxes in the beginning, and not worry about checking every single individual box below. But you may get so many copies of stuff and whatnot. I apologize for this long paragraph as I am typing it as I am thinking of this scenario...)

And press: Continue

The Desktop Banana [which is Banana (2) ] is now Banana (4) in the box of nayners.


Where's the monkey at?

I usually have my File Explorer [and older Windows Explorer] set for Details view, ungrouped and click the heading of each column to change the order of the list to Ascending or Descending. It all depends upon my need at the time.

rudolph said:

This. TeraCopy can do it. Unfortunately Microsoft Windows can't do this type of stuff compared to Linux and Mac, which offers to rename file and keep both, instead of replacing or skipping.


It seems windows had something like this back in the day:
Move, but keep both files - Windows 7 Forums

Please do not close or archive this thread. This is the only place where the problem is not ignored by always answered with misdirecting canned answers like in MS forums, with MS responders (i think).

The question is misdirected by canning it as a "where has the renaming option gone". Not where has the autorenaming option gone. Or it would also probably argue that it is still there in that second panel.. where i actually would have to just click on both colum check boxes.. and send.. but the time taken to do such thing, each time a file with same name (for example a new file that ones knows to already exist, and counting on the autonumbering routinely to lossly keep all fille and the ordering in time as well). This is my current windows 7 routine. many meaningful folders where i can pile chronologically daily files from other folders.

This may happen while my train of thought might need to keep going and not ask to review the target folder each time.. knowing full well the content.. and counting on having just an automatic attention need, so the concentration could keep on the real productive process the computer is usually conducive environment for. Not having a shelving additional task, and mouse aiming at check-marks.

some common sense seems to get so easily lost.. They could just keep it as in win 7, and offer the new micromanagement feature they are so proud about and fixated on having it at the exclusion of the one we are talking about here.

Chrome has just given me some 245 days.. only thing i look forward in surrendering to that Borg (and thumb device software model bloatware layer, the MS owned file-space), is long filenames, and UNIX increased compatibility. The package deal is crooked.

Glad to hear that teracopy can still replace the drag move and copy behavior seamlessly as it can in windows 7. I was worried the windows store app model also meant deprecation of Win32 API type access of windows file manager objects. ( that MS not able to understand what many have been talking about, is not just an accident, but something they intend to impose, so what we let the next OS do file management, while we relax even more, and MS does even more for us then, but that might be attributing intent, in order to explain such lack of listening).

However, while advanced renamer logically has to be able to autorename same filename patterns, its strength was about string pattern replacement, and batch application of such on some range of directory structures. I don't recall it acting as a replacing of windows file explorer or management like Teracopy.

Are there other third party softwares, that try to compensate for such regression (in guise of new features)? This thread should keep a watch for such I think. At least as a memory of windows evolution have chosen a new path of sorts. or as reminder that some of us might be nostalic for such file management productivity feature.

Windows for creators update, gave me fleeting hope of MS coming down to some sense. Just words.

ricardobohner said:

Hi, I would like to know if there is some registry hack or something that automatically renames files with the same name when copying or moving.

No. For obvious reasons.