Ant Renamer

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Score6.8

Rank#5 of 30

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onWindows

Summary

Ant Renamer is a free Windows program for changing file and folder names in bulk according to rules you choose. Its actions include changing extensions, replacing or inserting text, moving or deleting characters, enumeration, and changing letter case. It can also build names from MP3 ID3 v1.1 tags, modification dates and times, EXIF information, regular expressions, or a provided list or file. The program changes names only, not file contents. Unicode names, including Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic characters, are supported on NT systems. The interface is available in English and many other languages, including French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Tamil. Ant Renamer is free software under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the user's option, a later version. Version 2.13.0 is available as an installer or portable ZIP package. The project began in 2003 and is still maintained, though its maker says it relies on older tools and does not use newer Windows features. The maker provides help files, online manuals, a forum, and email contact.

Who it is for

Ant Renamer suits Windows users who need to rename many files or folders using repeatable rules. It is also relevant if you need name patterns drawn from metadata, regular expressions, or a list.

What is good

Free software with source code available.
Supports folder and file renaming.
Can use regular expressions and metadata.
Provides a portable ZIP package.
Supports Unicode names on NT systems.

What to know first

Available for Windows only.
The program changes names, not file contents.
Unicode support is limited to NT systems.
The maker describes it as based on old tools.

Verdict

Ant Renamer covers bulk renaming with a wide range of rule types, at no cost. Its Windows-only scope and reliance on older tools are worth considering before choosing it.

Ant Renamer plans and pricing

All plans

Ant Renamer Free Free software · source code available · Windows program antp.be · 3 Oct 2026

Compared on file renaming software

Free plan: Yesantp.be
Platform coverage: windows_onlyantp.be
Regex renaming: Yesantp.be
Metadata-based renaming: Yesantp.be
Rename preview: Yesantp.be
Folder renaming: Yesantp.be
Undo changes: Yesantp.be

Facts

Purpose: Ant Renamer makes it easier to rename large amounts of files and folders using specified settings.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Scope: The program modifies only file and folder names.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Rename actions: Features include changing extensions, replacing or inserting text, moving or deleting characters, enumeration, and case changes.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Metadata and patterns: It can create names using MP3 ID3 v1.1 tags, file modification date and time, EXIF information, regular expressions, or names from a list or file.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Unicode: Unicode file names are supported, including names containing Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic characters.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Languages: The program is available in English and numerous other languages, including French, German, Japanese, Portuguese, and Tamil.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
License: The program is free software under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the user's option, any later version.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Windows compatibility: The maker says it has been tested from Windows 98 and NT4 through Windows 10 and 11, with some stated limitations on older systems.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Download: Version 2.13.0 is offered as an installer and as a portable ZIP package; the page lists a program date of 2024-12-14 and package update date of 2025-09-20.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Support: The maker directs users to the included help file, online user manuals, forum, or contact by forum or email.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Known limitation: The maker states that Unicode is supported only on NT systems and that translated interface text depends on matching Windows regional and program language character sets.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Display support: The support page explains how to change Windows compatibility settings if text looks blurred on high DPI displays.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Project status: The maker describes Ant Renamer as an old project started in 2003 that is still maintained to keep it running, but is based on old tools and does not use newer Windows features.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026
Maker location: Antoine Potten says he lives in Brussels, Belgium.antp.be · 3 Oct 2026