Windows Explorer Renames Multiple Files in One Fell Swoop

Q I have a large group of files, all with different names, that relate to one subject. I’d like to rename all of them with the same name, but I also want to give them individual identifiers—such as Money Smith (1), Money Smith (2), etc. I really don’t want to go through the tedious steps of renaming them one at a time. Can you help?

A Windows Explorer can easily rename multiple files in one step. Begin by selecting the files you want renamed and right-click on any one of them. If the files are not sorted contiguously, hold down the Ctrl key and click on each one. When all are highlighted, right-click on one. That will bring up a screen that offers you, among other things, a Rename function (see screenshot below). Click on it and proceed to rename the highlighted file. Finally, left-click and all the files will change accordingly. But use caution before you do this, because I don’t know of a way to undo the name changes.