How to Rename All the Files In the Current Directory In Linux?

Best Linux File Management Tools to Buy in October 2025

1

Tsubosan Hand tool Workmanship file set of 5 ST-06 from Japan

• PRECISION MACHINING FOR SMOOTH AND ACCURATE FILE FINISHES.
• ERGONOMIC HANDLE DESIGN FOR COMFORTABLE, PROLONGED USE.
• DURABLE MATERIALS ENSURE LONG-LASTING PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY.

BUY & SAVE

$28.00 $30.00

Save 7%

2

Linux Basics for Hackers: Getting Started with Networking, Scripting, and Security in Kali

BUY & SAVE

$23.74 $39.99

Save 41%

3

Linux in Action

BUY & SAVE

$39.99

4

Linux for Embedded and Real-time Applications

BUY & SAVE

$37.46 $49.95

Save 25%

5

Linux Bible

BUY & SAVE

$32.42 $50.00

Save 35%

6

Linux Server Security: Tools & Best Practices for Bastion Hosts

• AFFORDABLE QUALITY: ENJOY GREAT SAVINGS ON GENTLY-USED BOOKS.
• ECO-FRIENDLY CHOICE: PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY WITH PRE-LOVED READS.
• WIDE SELECTION: FIND UNIQUE TITLES AND HIDDEN GEMS AT BARGAIN PRICES.

BUY & SAVE

$32.32 $44.95

Save 28%

+

ONE MORE?

To rename all the files in the current directory in Linux, you can use the 'mv' command along with a 'for' loop. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Navigate to the desired directory using the 'cd' command. For example:

cd /path/to/directory

1. Use the following command to rename all the files in the current directory:

for file in *; do mv "$file" "new_name_$file"; done

Replace "new_name_" with the desired prefix or name pattern that you want to add to the original file names.

For instance, if the current directory contains files like 'file1.txt', 'file2.txt', and so on, running the above command will rename them as 'new_name_file1.txt', 'new_name_file2.txt', and so on.

Are there any restrictions or limitations on file renaming in Linux?

Yes, there are certain restrictions and limitations on file renaming in Linux. Some of the common restrictions and limitations include:

1. Permissions: The user must have appropriate read, write, and execute permissions on the file or directory in order to rename it. Without proper permissions, the renaming operation may fail.
2. Special Characters: Linux supports a wide range of characters in file names, but certain special characters such as slashes (/), spaces, and ampersands (&) may cause issues during renaming. It is advisable to avoid using special characters to ensure compatibility and ease of use.
3. Filesystem Limitations: Filesystems used in Linux have certain limitations on file names. These limitations vary depending on the filesystem type and may include restrictions on maximum file name length, the types of characters that can be used, and case sensitivity.
4. File in Use: If a file is currently open or being used by a running process, it may not be possible to rename it. In such cases, the renaming operation will fail until the file is closed or no longer in use.

It is important to note that these restrictions and limitations may vary across different Linux distributions and filesystems.

How do you undo a bulk renaming operation in Linux?

To undo a bulk renaming operation in Linux, you can use the mv command with the destination and original file names switched. This will effectively move the files back to their original locations with their initial names.

Here are the steps to undo a bulk renaming operation:

1. Open the terminal on your Linux system.
2. Navigate to the directory where the files were renamed. You can use the cd command to change directories.
3. Use the mv command to rename the files back to their original names. The syntax is as follows: mv Replace with the name of the file after the bulk renaming operation and with the original name of the file. Note: You may need to repeat this command for each renamed file.
4. Verify that the files are restored by listing the contents of the directory using the ls command.

By swapping the new filename with the original filename in the mv command, you essentially revert the renaming operation and restore the file names to their previous state.

How do you rename files using a pattern or wildcard in Linux?

To rename files using a pattern or wildcard in Linux, you can use the rename command or the mmv command. Here's how to use both methods:

1. Using the rename command: Syntax: rename Replace with the pattern you want to match in the filenames. Replace with the new name or replacement pattern. Replace with the filenames or a wildcard pattern. Example: To rename all files with extension ".txt" to ".bak", you can use the command rename 's/.txt$/.bak/' *.txt.
2. Using the mmv command: Syntax: mmv Replace with the pattern you want to match in the filenames. Replace with the new name or replacement pattern. Example: To rename all files starting with "file" and ending with a number to "newfile", you can use the command mmv 'file*[0-9]' 'newfile#1'. The #1 represents the matched part of the pattern (the number in this case).

Remember to be cautious when using wildcard patterns and ensure that the changes you make will not have unintended consequences. It is recommended to test commands and patterns on a smaller set of files before applying them to a larger number of files.

How do you add a prefix or suffix to file names in Linux?

To add a prefix or suffix to file names in Linux, you can use the mv command along with some shell scripting techniques. Here are a few examples:

Adding a Prefix:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Navigate to the directory containing the files you want to rename.
3. Run the following command to add a prefix "prefix_" to all the file names in the current directory: for file in *; do mv "$file" "prefix_$file"; done

Adding a Suffix:

1. Open the terminal.
2. Navigate to the directory containing the files you want to rename.
3. Run the following command to add a suffix "_suffix" to all the file names in the current directory: for file in *; do mv "$file" "${file}_suffix"; done

Note: Make sure to replace "prefix" or "suffix" with your desired text. Also, double quotes around the file names are used to handle files with spaces or special characters correctly.

How can you rename files using a script in Linux?

In Linux, you can rename files using scripts by utilizing different commands and techniques. Here are a few options:

1. Renaming a single file: Using the mv command: mv old_filename new_filename
2. Renaming multiple files selectively: Utilizing mv command with wildcards: mv file_prefix* new_prefix* This will rename all files starting with file_prefix to start with new_prefix. Employing the rename command: rename 's/old_text/new_text/' files* Replace old_text with the portion of the file name you want to replace and new_text with the replacement string. files* specifies the files you want to rename.
3. Bulk renaming files based on patterns or conditions: Using find and mv commands together: find . -name "old_pattern*" -exec mv {} new_name \; Replace old_pattern* with the pattern identifying the files you want to rename and new_name with the desired new name. Combining scripting languages like Bash, Python, or Perl to perform complex renaming operations.

Remember to exercise caution when renaming files, as it can cause data loss if not done properly. It might be advisable to take backups before performing mass renaming operations.