Removing certain word in file name

Question

I would like to remove the word “.pdf” in the file name. It’s not the extension of the file as I named it with “.pdf” previously. How do I remove it on all of the files? My files are located in many folders within the main folder.

C:\MainFolder\Folder1\document.pdf

C:\MainFolder\Folder2\document

C:\MainFolder\Folder3\document.pdf

Get-ChildItem | Rename-Item -NewName { $_.BaseName.Replace(“.pdf”,””) + $_.Extension }

I tried using this but it only removes in the folder itself. I need to do it for all of the folders

I have not seen your piece of code and the folder structure and sample file names. Please edit the question and share the same. Also, based on my assumption, I am giving an answer. — Ranadip Dutta, Oct 23 '19 at 08:33
Please do not delete and re-post the exact same question. Edit and improve your existing question to avoid loosing all clarification already discussed in the comments. — Filburt, Oct 23 '19 at 08:35
Just add the `-Recurse` option to [Get-ChildItem](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/get-childitem?view=powershell-6) to scan all subfolders. — Filburt, Oct 23 '19 at 08:42

f6a4 · Answer 1 · 2019-10-23T09:34:19.393

1

This should do the trick:

    $files = Get-ChildItem 'C:\mypath' -Recurse

    foreach( $file in $files ) {

    if( !$file.PSIsContainer ) {

        $extension = $file.Extension
        $newname   = $file.BaseName.Replace('.pdf', '' ) + $extension
        Rename-Item -Path $file.FullName -NewName $newname | Out-Null
    }

}

edited Oct 23 '19 at 09:34

answered Oct 23 '19 at 08:49

f6a4

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You don't need foreach loop here. Rename-item can technically rename all in a single shot. – Ranadip Dutta Oct 23 '19 at 08:50
It did not work. The file has still the word “.pdf” in it. – Kimber Ker Oct 23 '19 at 08:58
I've tested it here. "test.pdf.txt" becomes "test.txt". Is this what you want? – f6a4 Oct 23 '19 at 09:04
It loses its extension. It was a PDF file – Kimber Ker Oct 23 '19 at 09:06
Not here. "test.pdf" stays "test.pdf". What is the name of your file? – f6a4 Oct 23 '19 at 09:10
Img038374.pdf is the file name – Kimber Ker Oct 23 '19 at 09:11
When I run my script "Img038374.pdf" stays "Img038374.pdf". What should be the expected name? – f6a4 Oct 23 '19 at 09:13
It should be Img038374 as I have hide extension for known files – Kimber Ker Oct 23 '19 at 09:14
Ah, you want to remove ".pdf" from ALL files. I've updated my script accordingly, try this. – f6a4 Oct 23 '19 at 09:17
It completely remove the extension too. I’m unable to open up the file. I’m sorry for the confusion. The file name is “image123.pdf”. I have hide extension for known files. If I uncheck it, it would be “image123.pdf.pdf”. I would like to change the name to “image123” with hide extension checked in the folder options – Kimber Ker Oct 23 '19 at 09:23
Ah, we get closer. :) Have a look on my updated script, this should do it. – f6a4 Oct 23 '19 at 09:34
I got it working! Thank you very much!! If I want to remove a certain word for my folders. What should I do? – Kimber Ker Oct 23 '19 at 09:38
Create a new question and give an example pls. – f6a4 Oct 23 '19 at 09:40

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Oct 23 '19 at 08:46

0

Replace your piece of code with this:

#Finds all files with the string “pdf” anywhere in the name recursively and will replace with nothing(which will remove basically).
Get-ChildItem -Path C:\your\root\folder\path -Filter "*pdf*" -Recurse  | Rename-Item -NewName {$_.Name -replace "pdf",''}

Hope it helps.

answered Oct 23 '19 at 08:46

Ranadip Dutta

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This would remove the extension from pdf files as well. – f6a4 Oct 23 '19 at 08:50
So pick the extension and after removing add it back. :) – Ranadip Dutta Oct 23 '19 at 08:51
Or change the replace statement to `-replace '.pdf.pdf' to '.pdf'` – PaulG Oct 23 '19 at 10:03
@PaulG: If it is not pdf then that might cause an issue. But if it is only pdf then yes we are good with it. – Ranadip Dutta Oct 23 '19 at 10:21

mklement0 · Answer 3 · 2019-10-23T14:51:32.343

As Filburt points out in a comment on the question, the only thing missing from your command is the -Recurse switch in order to process files in the entire directory subtree of the input path.

Additionally, to be safe, add the -File switch in order to limit processing to files (and not also directories):

Get-ChildItem -Recurse -File |
  Rename-Item -NewName { $_.BaseName.Replace('.pdf', '') + $_.Extension } -WhatIf

^{The -WhatIf common parameter previews the operation. Remove it once you're sure it will do what you want.}

Note that files whose base names do not contain the substring .pdf are effectively ignored.

To speed up processing, you could make Get-ChildItem preselect the files of interest with
-Filter *.pdf?*

Removing certain word in file name

3 Answers3