Main settings

TODO: Proof read, upload images, update links.

This section describes the settings that change ReNamer's behavior in various ways.

General settings

These settings are applicable to the ReNamer application.

Always on top (main window only) Keeps the ReNamer window above the other windows. This feature is useful when you are using the drag-and-drop method to add files from Windows Explorer. When you are working in Windows Explorer, the ReNamer window does not vanish below the Windows Explorer window. Remember last position and size ReNamer will retain the same size and position in the next session. You will not need to resize/re-position the ReNamer window each time you start it. Remember sorting options (files table) ReNamer will retain the file sorting order in the next session. Save rules configuration on exit, load on start up Remember the currently loaded rules/preset on exit and load them automatically on the next start up. As of *v7.2.0.6 Beta*, the default preset is remembered by the preset name, rather than via an anonymous default preset, unless the preset was in the modified state at the time of saving. Always show non-main forms centered All windows and dialog boxes (except the main window) appear in the center of the ReNamer window. You still may shift the new window, but when you close it and open again it will be opened in the center of ReNamer window. If the option is deselected window would reopen in its old position. Folders also have extensions, process them as such Extension is considered to be whatever follows the last dot in the filename. Prior to *v5.74.5 Beta* a dot in the name of a folder was also considered to identify an extension, hence, the *Skip Extension* option in rules also applied to folders. In newer versions the extension in folders is no longer treated as such, however, this behavior can be changed with this setting. Use natural order sorting algorithm If this option is selected, filenames are sorted in **Natural** order; otherwise they are sorted in **Lexicographical** order. Check [examples of sorting algorithms](https://www.den4b.com/wiki/ReNamer:Program_settings#Examples_of_sorting_algorithms) below for more information.

Sorting algorithms

Sorting Example Description **Natural**

Name1.ext
Name2.ext
Name10.ext
Name20.ext

Numbers are sorted in their natural order. **Lexicographical**

Name1.ext
Name10.ext
Name2.ext
Name20.ext

Sorts like in a dictionary. All entries are sorted based on character positions, counted from left.

Preview settings

These settings are applicable only to the previewing.

Autosize table on change Each column resizes automatically to accommodate the longest name in it. Auto preview on change of rules configurations Whenever a rule is added/deleted/edited, the preview refreshes automatically Auto preview when new files are added Whenever a file is added, the preview refreshes automatically Fix conflicting new names on preview If the new file names are going to conflict, then this option resolves the conflict by adding a suffix number in **(n)** format. Validate new filenames on preview Raises a warning if new filenames are not valid:

There are duplicates in the *New path* column *New path* contains forbidden characters *New path* is already taken by an existing file *New path* exceeds maximum length (256 characters) Real-time update of the preview If this option is selected, when you click the **Preview** button, files will be updated one-by-one and displayed in the table. During the processing, ReNamer continues to accept any user inputs (mouse/keyboard).

 WARNING: This option allows you to use mouse/keyboard even when the previous rules are being processed. This may lead to unpredictable behavior and consequences! Use this option with EXTREME CAUTION, only for cases when some heavy processing is done on each file, for example: using HASH functions or other types of content analysis.

If this option is deselected, when you click **Preview** button, ReNamer shows nothing till all files are processed; after which all files are displayed at once. During the processing, ReNamer will stop accepting any user inputs (mouse/keyboard). This mode is safe. **For normal use, deselect this option!**

Rename settings

These settings are applicable to the renaming process.

ReNamer can boost your productivity by doing certain operations on its own. On the other hand, you may want to have the flexibility of choosing your options each time. So this panel lets you decide how to strike a balance.

Display message on successful rename Deselect if you do not want a message each time.

This setting does not affect the error messages. Close program after successful rename Useful if you use ReNamer sparingly, i.e. rename and close.

In case of problems, ReNamer stays open. Clear rules list after rename Useful if you use a different set of rules each time. This option will clear off the **Rules** pane automatically. Clear files table on rename Useful if you want to load another set of files for each new renaming.

Note that even files that were not renamed in the last round will get cleared off. So, **deselect** this option if you tend to rename your loaded files in 2-3 separate renaming operations.

**NOTE:** This will make **Undo** option unusable. Clear renamed files on rename Clears off the files once you have finished renaming them.

Note that the files that were not renamed will remain behind, so that you can apply a new set of rules to them.

Note that the currently *marked* set of rules may not change some file names (for example, if you want to insert a string at 10^th position, and we have some files with shorter file names.) Even in such cases, the files are considered to be renamed.

**NOTE:** This will make **Undo** option unusable. Overwrite files with new names If there is a naming conflict as a result of renaming, the newly renamed files can overwrite the existing files with the same names automatically.

Note that the name conflict can occur with a file that exists in the same folder, but which is NOT loaded in ReNamer.

Note also that multiple files from the same folder may be renamed in such a way that most of them get overwritten in sequence. In the worst case, only the last file to be renamed will survive.

 CAUTION: Your important files can be overwritten without your knowledge! Must be successfully confirmed by user This option is applicable only when **Overwrite files with new names** option is selected.

Enabled: ReNamer will pop up confirmation dialog for every file that is to be overwritten. The old file will be overwritten only if you confirm. (If the renamed file has no conflicts in its folder, ReNamer will rename it without asking for permission.).

Disabled: If a renamed file has the same name as an existing file, ReNamer will overwrite the old file silently.

 CAUTION: Your important files can be overwritten without your knowledge!

Meta tags settings

These settings are for meta-tags only.

Meta tag support Extracting meta-tags from files puts heavy demand on system resources. So if you do not need meta-tags, deselect this option. The system will become more responsive (not only ReNamer, but other applications as well.). Date format Sets the date format for ReNamer's use. (The selected date format will be used for naming files.) See [Date-time format used in Meta tags](https://www.den4b.com/wiki/ReNamer:Date_and_Time_format "ReNamer:Date and Time format") to see available formats. Preview Tests the current date-time format, using current time.

Miscellaneous settings

A general-purpose tab to provide all miscellaneous settings.

Register preset extension (*.rnp) Associate the .rnp extension with ReNamer. Add to folders context menu in Windows Explorer, a ReNamer option is added to the context menu for folders. Add to Send to context menu in Windows Explorer, a ReNamer option is added to the Send To context menu. Change text of "Drag your files here" The lower pane of ReNamer will show your custom text when empty Change text of "Click here to add a rule" The upper pane of ReNamer will show your custom text when empty