Automatic File Renamer which runs in background for Windows?

Freek

I'm looking for a tool which runs in the background checking a folder and if it finds files in the folder, it should automatically rename the files to the following syntax:
day_month_hours_minutes_seconds.filext regardless of what the filename was at first.
So johndoe.txt should be renamed to 24_5_22_18_36.txt for example.
I tried using a batch file, but the problem with those is that you can't run them continuously the background, AFAIK. I also found this: http://www.bulkrenameutility.co.uk/Download.php but the problem remains the same.
Tips are appreciated

Thanks!

Asad

Linux noob, write a bash script or something.

antiven

@AsadHaider said: Linux noob, write a bash script or something.

"Automatic File Renamer which runs in background for Windows?"

Asad

Batch script then?

Aldryic

@AsadHaider said: Batch script then?

@Freek said: I tried using a batch file, but the problem with those is that you can't run them continuously the background, AFAIK.

MrAndroid

The Windows command prompt isn't that advance.

raindog308

@AsadHaider said: Linux noob, write a bash script or something.

Windows, so s/bash/PowerShell/

Honestly, when I'm stuck using Windows I just use C# as a scripting language...firing up VisualStudio (Express is fine for most things) and writing a quick C# program is about as fast.

Asad

Run it as a service?

If you have visual studio or eclipse, write a quick c#/java program.

antiven

OP: Try using a batch file with this:

The START command in Windows command line allows you to start another command window running any command; and the /B option can start the command without the extra command window, so you get similar behavior to Unix's background processes.

from tomshardware.com/forum/34598-45-windows-command-background-unix

nabo

@Daniel said: The Windows command prompt isn't that advance.

Maybe with XP in 2001. But there's PowerShell. ;-)

@Freek said: Tips are appreciated

Have a look at the Powershell. Especially the Rename-Item Cmdlet.

MrAndroid

@nabo said: Maybe with XP in 2001. But there's PowerShell. ;-)

Still, the UNIX Terminal > PowerShell.

Microsoft stopped all development pretty much of Command Prompt, whilst the UNIX Terminal has constantly been evolving and is still a daily part of a UNIX users life, even on OS X it is the most used Application.

nabo

@Daniel said: Microsoft stopped all development pretty much of Command Prompt

AFAIK, the Powershell is the new Command-Prompt. And its quite versatile and actively developed. Of course, it's not as standard as on *NIX, but mainly because Windows is GUI-centered. I guess the different historic backgrounds are one of the main reasons.

MrAndroid

@nabo said: AFAIK, the Powershell is the new Command-Prompt. And its quite versatile and actively developed. Of course, it's not as standard as on *NIX, but mainly because Windows is GUI-centered. I guess the different historic backgrounds are one of the main reasons.

I guess, on OS X/Linux/BSD there are many task you still have to rely on the Terminal for, where Windows tried to put it all in a GUI.

Asad

@Freek do you have Java installed?

Here's a quick Java program I've written which does exactly what you want: http://pastebin.com/rUYt3eu3

Change filesDir and convertedDir to your two directories. Drag files into filesDir directory, they'll be moved to the convertedDir directory with the new filename and original extension.

Compile it and run using Windows scheduled tasks every five minutes or something.

joepie91

@nabo said: Maybe with XP in 2001. But there's PowerShell. ;-)

Actually XP already offered Powershell as a PowerToy.

aubs

Have a google for something call "Rename Master" ... I used it years ago, it may have an auto feature. Was pretty good then, but I didn't need it to do the job automatically.

raindog308

@Daniel said: Microsoft stopped all development pretty much of Command Prompt, whilst the UNIX Terminal has constantly been evolving and is still a daily part of a UNIX users life, even on OS X it is the most used Application.

You're completely wrong...on both sides, actually.

None of the Unix shells (I assume that's what you mean by "UNIX Terminal") have evolved much in decades. It's not like new features are being frequently added to bash or ksh. I would not describe Unix shells as "constantly evolving".

However, that's exactly how I'd described Microsoft PowerShell. If anything, Microsoft has been moving a lot more in the direction of command line, especially with the upcoming Server 8.

PS is quite different than bash or ksh, but it's completely CLI. Example from Wikipedia:

MrAndroid

I was more referring to the CLI Tools, which are constantly evolving and the amount of them.

The amount of tools and programs available means you can theoretically do anything from a *NIX terminal, and the amount of programs is huge, something Windows does not have.

I might be wrong, but isn't Command Prompt still the default?

netomx

Well, how about command prompt & task scheduler? That will make the job

joepie91

@raindog308 said: None of the Unix shells (I assume that's what you mean by "UNIX Terminal") have evolved much in decades. It's not like new features are being frequently added to bash or ksh. I would not describe Unix shells as "constantly evolving".

It's not really possible to accurately compare the two. UNIX-like systems rely on the 'small tool for each task' philosophy which means the shell is really just the shell and there's not much to evolve, whereas in Windows it seems to be more of a monolithic thing.

A notable example is findstr in Windows, which is a binary that looks suspiciously much like grep.

Freek

I found the solution:
I downloaded 'Directory Monitor', which monitors the directory for new files/changes and then starts my batch file which I wrote using 'Bulk rename command'

Thanks