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Is it possible to Undo renaming a file?

Anonymous
2011-08-09T21:07:09+00:00
  1. Moved music files to cell-phone (USB mass-storage mode)
  2. Phone has limitation on filename characters
  3. Changed a filename & next thing I know, I have 25 files re-named "BB King&Claption-Riding With the King" (of course, each with [2], [3], [4] etc appended)
  4. Looked at all the obvious places for "UNDO" command (NONE readily apparent!)
  5. Wasted time plugging various relevant Search terms into [so-called] Help ... Nada!!!
  6. Could somebody please direct me to the absolutely essential UNDO function for this situation, working with files in a Folder!

Thank you, in advance.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-08-10T03:17:03+00:00

    There is a short window of opportunity to undo a file action (move, rename, copy type) in Windows Explorer or folder windows using the Edit Menu (or pressing Ctrl Z).  You would see undo rename as the option for example.  Only the most recent file action will be un-doable, so it may be too late.

    It appears that you had multiple files selected when you did the rename. When you have multiple selections Windows will rename them using the name you enter and the bracketed sequential numbers.

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-07-31T17:54:54+00:00

    Thank you so much for the CTRL-Z advice!  It undid my stupid mistake of having all file selected when I renamed one file (out of 55 files that were selected and renamed).

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2016-01-23T04:51:55+00:00

    There is a short window of opportunity to undo a file action (move, rename, copy type) in Windows Explorer or folder windows using the Edit Menu (or pressing Ctrl Z).  You would see undo rename as the option for example.  Only the most recent file action will be un-doable, so it may be too late.

    It appears that you had multiple files selected when you did the rename. When you have multiple selections Windows will rename them using the name you enter and the bracketed sequential numbers.

    In Windows 7 the UNDO RENAME was a very valuable command.

    But can not find it in Windows 10.

    the Cntl-Z did work but I HATE shortcut key (keyboard) and prefer commands on the Menu bar.

    IS THERE A WAY to put that great command back on the Menu bar on File Explorer in Windows 10?

    16

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-23T22:31:12+00:00

    Thanks, there is a whole "treasure chest" of goodies they left out, but, that ARROW is pretty small at 1920dpi.

    One reason I do not use IE and Chrome is, I like may commands visual, not hidden.  I HATE wasting time looking for hidden commands.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-01-23T19:08:50+00:00

    You can put the Undo command on the 'Quick Access Toolbar' in File Explorer in Windows 10.  Click the down arrow just to the left of the "File Explorer" text to customize.

    8 people found this answer helpful.
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