How to Rename File in Windows 10


This tutorial will show you different ways to rename a file in Windows 10.

Starting with Windows 10 build 21343, Microsoft is updating File Explorer (Win+E) when renaming files to now support using CTRL + Left / Right arrow to move your cursor between words in the file name, as well as CTRL + Delete and CTRL + Backspace to delete words at a time, like other places in Windows.

If a file is currently in use, for example by a program, Windows will not allow you to rename it.

If you rename more than one file at the same time, the new name for each file will be new file name, new file name (1), new file name (2), etc...

Be careful to not change the file extension of a file when renaming the file. Doing so will change its file type, and break the file until the extension is changed back.

When you rename a file in Windows, the name cannot contain any of the following characters: \ / : * ? " < > |
Rename File in Windows 10-characters.png



Contents







OPTION ONE

Rename File using Keyboard Shortcut


1 While on your desktop (Win+D) or in File Explorer (Win+E), select the file(s) you want to rename. (see screenshot below)

2 Press the F2 key.

3 Type a new name for the file(s), and press Enter or click/tap on another area.

Rename File in Windows 10-file_name.jpg






OPTION TWO

Rename File from File Explorer Ribbon


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Navigate to and select the file(s) you want to rename. (see screenshot below)

3 Click/tap on Home tab, and click/tap on the Rename button in the ribbon.

Rename File in Windows 10-rename_file_ribbon.jpg

4 Type a new name for the file(s), and press Enter or click/tap on another area. (see screenshot below)

Rename File in Windows 10-file_name.jpg






OPTION THREE

Rename File with Two Single Clicks


This option is only available if you selected to Double-click to open an item (single-click to select) instead of Single-click to open an item (point to select).


1 While on your desktop (Win+D) or in File Explorer (Win+E), navigate to the file you want to rename.

2 Click/tap on the file once to select it. (see screenshots below)

3 Wait at least one second, and then click/tap on the file name text to rename it.

4 Type a new name for the file, and press Enter or click/tap on another area.

Rename File in Windows 10-raname_file_two_single_clicks-1.png Rename File in Windows 10-raname_file_two_single_clicks-2.png






OPTION FOUR

Rename File from Context Menu


1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Navigate to and select the file(s) you want to rename.

3 Perform the action you want to do below: (see screenshot below)

A) Right click or press and hold on the selected file(s), and either press the M key or click/tap on Rename.

OR

B) Press and hold Shift key and right click on the selected file(s), release the Shift key, and either press the M key or click/tap on Rename.

Rename File in Windows 10-rename_file_context_menu.jpg

4 Type a new name for the file(s), and press Enter or click/tap on another area. (see screenshot below)

Rename File in Windows 10-file_name.jpg






OPTION FIVE

Rename File from Properties


1 While on your desktop (Win+D) or in File Explorer (Win+E), navigate to the file you want to rename.

2 Right click or press and hold on the file you want to rename, and click/tap on Properties. (see screenshot below)

Rename File in Windows 10-rename_file_properties-1.jpg

3 In the General tab, type a new name in the top field, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

Rename File in Windows 10-rename_file_properties-2.png






OPTION SIX

Rename File in PowerShell


For more Rename-Item command usage details, see: Rename-Item | Microsoft Docs


1 Open PowerShell or an elevated PowerShell depending on the required rights to rename the file you want.

2 Type the command below into PowerShell, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

Rename-Item -Path "Full path of file" -NewName "New Name" -Force

Substitute Full path of file in the command above with the actual full path of the file with file extension you want to rename.

Substitute New Name in the command above with the actual new name with file extension you want to rename the file.

For example: Rename-Item -Path "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\File.txt" -NewName "File new name.txt" -Force

Rename File in Windows 10-rename_file_powershell.jpg

3 When finished, you can close the Powershell window if you like.






OPTION SEVEN

Rename File in Command Prompt


For more ren command usage details, see: ren | Microsoft Docs


1 Open a command prompt or an elevated command prompt depending on the required rights to rename the file you want.

2 Type the command below into the command prompt, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

ren "Full path of file" "New Name"

Substitute Full path of folder in the command above with the actual full path of the file with file extension you want to rename.

Substitute New Name in the command above with the actual new name with file extension you want to rename the file.

For example: ren "C:\Users\Brink\Desktop\File.txt" "File new name.txt"

Rename File in Windows 10-rename_file_command_prompt.png

3 When finished, you can close the command prompt window if you like.


That's it,
Shawn Brink


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