How to Rename Files in Linux Using the mv and rename Commands

Are you looking to rename files in Linux using the command line? If so, you’ve come to the right place.

The command line terminal in Linux is a vital tool for managing and controlling Linux systems, including Virtual Private Servers (VPS). It allows you to perform various tasks using simple Linux commands, such as renaming or deleting files and folders.

This might seem challenging for non-technical users, but we’ve created this guide to help you understand how to rename files in Linux using the command line.

So without further delay, let’s get started!

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How to Rename Files in Linux Using the mv Command

The mv (move) command in Linux is useful for two main things: moving files to different locations and renaming files.

How to Use the mv Command

1. Accessing the Command Line:

   – To use the mv command, you need to open the terminal.

   – If you’re working on a server, you’ll need to connect via SSH. You can use tools like PuTTY (on Windows) or the built-in Terminal (on macOS or Linux).

   – If you’re working on a local machine, simply open the Terminal.

2. Connecting to Your VPS:

   – If you have a Virtual Private Server (VPS), you’ll need the server’s IP address and your login details.

   – Use the command below to log in. Replace “your-user” with your username and “your-server” with the server’s IP address:

 ssh your-user@your-server

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Basic mv Command Syntax

The structure of the mv command is:

– source: This is the current location of the file.

– destination: This is where you want the file to go (or the new file name).

– option: These are extra settings you can use. Some common options are:

   – -f: Force the command to overwrite files without asking.

   – -i: Ask for confirmation before overwriting.

   – -v: Show what’s happening as the command runs.

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How to Rename a File

If you are in the same folder as the file you want to rename, you can use this simple command:

For example, to rename file1.txt to file2.txt, type:

If you’re in a different folder, you must first move to the correct folder using the cd command. For example:

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Renaming Multiple Files at Once

By default, the mv command can only rename one file at a time. You’ll need to use a loop if you want to rename multiple files. Here’s how:

1. Create a new script file using the touch command:

2. Open it in a text editor like nano and write a loop:

This script will rename all .txt files to .pdf files in the current directory.

3. Run the script using:

4. If you get a permission error, you can use this command to fix it:

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How to Rename Files on Linux Using the Rename Command

The rename command is a handy tool that gives you more control when changing the names of files in Linux. Many Linux systems already have this command, but if you don’t have it, you can easily install it using the Terminal.

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How to Install the Rename Command

To install the rename command, you need to type a specific command in the Terminal, depending on your Linux version:

– If you are using Ubuntu, Debian, or Linux Mint, type:

– If you are using CentOS or RHEL, type:

– For Arch Linux, use:

Once installed, you’re ready to use the rename command!

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Basic rename Command Syntax

Here’s how the command looks when you want to rename something:

– old-name: The current name of the file.

– new-name: The new name you want to give the file.

– files: The file or files you want to rename.

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Example of Renaming Files

Let’s say you have a file named file1.txt and want to rename it to newfile1.txt. You would type:

If you want to rename multiple files at once, for example, changing all .txt files to .php, you can use this command:

This will rename all .txt files in the folder to .php.

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Renaming Files in a Different Location

If the file you want to rename is in a different folder, you need to specify its location in the command. For example:

Just replace /path/to/your/file.txt with the actual path where your file is located.

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Other Cool Things You Can Do with Rename

The rename command can do more than just change file names. Here are some cool tricks:

– To change all filenames to uppercase, type:

– To change all filenames to lowercase, type:

– To replace spaces in filenames with underscores, type:

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How to Uninstall the Rename Command

If you no longer need the rename command, you can remove it using the Terminal. The command depends on your Linux version:

– For Ubuntu, Debian, or Linux Mint, type:

– For CentOS or RHEL, type:

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Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned how to rename files in Linux using simple commands like rename and mv, the process is straightforward. All you need to do is connect to your remote server via SSH or Terminal, and follow the command lines provided above—it’s that simple!

The rename command in Linux is a powerful and flexible tool for renaming single or multiple files effortlessly.

Whether you’re renaming one file or performing bulk renaming tasks, renaming offers many options to make the process efficient.

It’s easy to install and use, even for beginners, and provides useful features like changing file extensions, adjusting uppercase/lowercase, and replacing characters in filenames.

By following the simple steps in this guide, you can confidently rename files on your Linux system, saving both time and effort.

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