Ant Renamer vs Bulk Rename Utility

Ant Renamer is a free Windows program for applying rules to large batches of file and folder names. Its actions include changing extensions, replacing or inserting text, moving or deleting characters, numbering names, and changing letter case. It can build names from MP3 ID3 v1.1 tags, modification dates and times, EXIF information, regular expressions, or names in a supplied list or file. The program changes names only, not file contents. It supports Unicode names, including Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic characters, on NT systems. The interface is available in English and numerous other languages, including French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Tamil. Ant Renamer is free software under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the user’s option, a later version. Version 2.13.0 is offered as an installer and as a portable ZIP package. The project began in 2003 and is still maintained, though its maker describes it as based on old tools and not using newer Windows features. The maker points users to the included help file, online manuals, a forum, or email support.

Bulk Rename Utility renames multiple files and entire folders in Windows using configurable rules. It can add, replace, or insert filename text, change case, alter extensions, and add dates or automatic numbers. A detailed preview shows proposed names before changes are applied. Rules can use photo EXIF data, MP3 ID3 tags, and Windows file properties. For more involved tasks, it supports regular expressions, JavaScript renaming, filters, subdirectory processing, and CSV input lists. The utility can create an undo batch file and save a log of renaming activity. Optional PDF and MediaInfo extensions expose document and audio/video metadata as tags, and require version 4.1.0.0 or newer. A portable version is available. The maker lists Windows 11, 10, 8, and 7, Windows on ARM, and specified Windows Server versions. Personal home use is free. Listed paid options include Home / Academic at $24.95 a month for one computer and a Commercial license at $92.95 as a one-time purchase per computer.