Latest Version of Software Running on XP

[VistaLover]

1 hour ago, Dixel said:

Or simply hold shift, right click inside the folder - open CMD here 

ren * *.jpg (or any other extension)

... I often do that myself when I have to batch-change file extensions inside a directory, however it won't help me much when needing to change something in the actual filenames ; and one other thing: the functionality you described in the first line requires at least Windows Vista, as it's not present by default in Windows XP SP3; I have seen, though, over the years, some .reg files or other utilities intended for XP that try to emulate it; e.g.

https://techjourney.net/add-open-command-window-here-to-windows-xp-folder-with-powertoy/

https://petri.com/add_command_prompt_here_shortcut_to_windows_explorer/

[Use at your own risk! Have not tried myself...]

Regards.

Edited July 26, 2023 by VistaLover
clarification added

[AstroSkipper]

1 hour ago, Dixel said:

Or simply hold shift, right click inside the folder - open CMD here 

ren * *.jpg (or any other extension)

 

40 minutes ago, VistaLover said:

and one other thing: the functionality you described in the first line requires at least Windows Vista, as it's not present by default in Windows XP SP3;

Right! This function does not exist in Windows XP SP3 natively but in Total Commander. You can easily open a CMD window in whatever folder you want by clicking onto the entry Open command prompt window. It is located under the menu bar item Commands.

Edited July 27, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[jaclaz]

In Windows XP you need a dedicated tool (shell extension), the one that works (I am running it since many years) is this one:

Background Command:

http://www.roggel.com/NGNeer/BackgroundCMD/index.shtml

It provides a proper "command prompt here" (unlike other "solutions" that offer "command prompt in the selected directory").

jaclaz

[VistaLover]

... Yes, have also been using BC myself, but on Vista SP2 32-bit ; it was someone here that suggested it to me , but can't remember who now (either you, jaclaz , or, possibly, UCyborg  ) ...

[jaclaz]

But on Vista you probably want one that is compatible with UAC (not tested by me):

http://code.kliu.org/cmdopen/

jaclaz

[Dixel]

20 hours ago, AstroSkipper said:

 

Right! This function does not exist in Windows XP SP3 natively 

"How do I batch change file extensions in Windows XP, please?"

"Go to a Command Prompt and Rename *.txt *.eml as an example. steve"

"Steve Cochran, Ph.D. MS-MVP 1998 - 2014"

Strip Steve Cochran off his Ph.D.?

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-do-i-batch-change-file-extensions-in-windows/f1b4219c-f2fe-4f25-83de-55ce8e7a71f8

[AstroSkipper]

9 hours ago, jaclaz said:

Background Command:

http://www.roggel.com/NGNeer/BackgroundCMD/index.shtml

Here is a quotation from BackgroundCMD's website:

Quote

BackgroundCMD.

    Command Prompt Folder Background Shell Extension.

    BackgroundCMD is a command prompt folder background shell
extension. It allows you to start a command prompt (an instance of
cmd.exe) from within any directory that you're currently browsing.

 

9 hours ago, jaclaz said:

In Windows XP you need a dedicated tool (shell extension), the one that works (I am running it since many years) is this one:

Background Command:

http://www.roggel.com/NGNeer/BackgroundCMD/index.shtml

It provides a proper "command prompt here" (unlike other "solutions" that offer "command prompt in the selected directory").

jaclaz

Your "proper" "command prompt here" does nothing different from Total Commander's "solution" "Open command prompt window". I personally do not use the Windows Explorer for file management but Total Commander. And I don't like too much unnecessary entries in the context menu.  Therefore, I can't see why such a solution is not as proper as yours. 
I think the following rule applies: 

AstroSkipper

Edited July 27, 2023 by AstroSkipper
Update of content

[jaclaz]

@AstroSkipper

Take it easy.

Using another tool instead of Explorer (like you do with Total Commander) is of course perfectly fine, I only posted a reference to a tool that is useful when running Explorer, working "correctly" unlike the very common suggested workarounds, like these ones:

https://petri.com/add_command_prompt_here_shortcut_to_windows_explorer/

that are described as "command prompt here" while they are actually "command prompt in the selected directory".

jaclaz

 

[NotHereToPlayGames]

Agreed, not big on large context menus.

I prefer Directory Opus on the home computer and Q-Dir on the office computer.

I've used Total Commander, XYplorer, and Explorer++ and they're all way better than Windows Explorer.

DirOpus wasn't free though.  I used to own an Amiga and I've been a DirOpus user ever since ('92ish?).

[VistaLover]

4 hours ago, jaclaz said:

But on Vista you probably want one that is compatible with UAC (not tested by me)

Thanks ; however, UAC was turned off from the very start this Toshiba laptop, with Vista OEM 32-bit, came into my possession ... 

[AstroSkipper]

5 hours ago, jaclaz said:

@AstroSkipper

Take it easy.

Using another tool instead of Explorer (like you do with Total Commander) is of course perfectly fine, I only posted a reference to a tool that is useful when running Explorer, working "correctly" unlike the very common suggested workarounds, like these ones:

https://petri.com/add_command_prompt_here_shortcut_to_windows_explorer/

Ok! Thanks for clarification!

AstroSkipper

[tekkaman]

On 7/26/2023 at 6:15 PM, Dixel said:

Or simply hold shift, right click inside the folder - open CMD here 

ren * *.jpg (or any other extension)

The thing is that Renamemaster is easier to use. As you can number files and remove characters by positions etc.

[Dixel]

3 hours ago, tekkaman said:

The thing is that Renamemaster is easier to use. As you can number files and remove characters by positions etc.

Thanks, the thing is, they say that command doesn't work on bare XP SP3, but Steve,

Steve Cochran, Ph.D. MS-MVP 1998 - 2014, who has Ph.d and MS-MVP, doesn't agree with them. See this post.

https://msfn.org/board/topic/176299-latest-version-of-software-running-on-xp/?do=findComment&comment=1249632

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/how-do-i-batch-change-file-extensions-in-windows/f1b4219c-f2fe-4f25-83de-55ce8e7a71f8

MS-MVP is very serious, see here:

https://mvp.microsoft.com/en-US/pages/what-it-takes-to-be-an-mvp

So, to be honest, I don't know whom to trust. I heard @jaclazis an experienced member, on the other hand, we have {at least} one more user to support him,

but in contrast to Steve, I highly doubt @VistaLover has ever won the Most Valuable Professional award at Microsoft, or even has

a Ph.D., I can't find that information about jaclaz either, also. Looks like they both lack both, so, I want to trust them, but I just don't know...

On my old XP laptop- it works, perhaps I already made the reg. fix log tome ago, I honestly don't remember.

[jaclaz]

@Dixel

I think you are confusing matters:

1) how to batch rename files

2) how to open a command prompt when in an explorer window in the shown directory/folder

To batch rename files (#1 in the above list) there are of course working command lines and/or you can write a dedicated batch, BUT there are a number of dedicated third party tools with more (or easier, or enhanced) features.

My remark and suggestions were ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY about how to open a command prompt in an explore window (#2 in the above list).

For that (open a command prompt in an explorer window, #2 in the above list) there is NO available function in Windows XP, there is something similar (and I later posted a link to an article on petri.com about how to use the existing feature) that however opens a command prompt in a selected directory, NOT in the currently displayed one.

To do the latter (open a command prompt in an explorer windows in the currently displayed directory) there is the need for a third party tool, and I posted a link to two of them, one tested and used successfully by me for over 10 years, and another one, not tested by me, but said to be working just fine, more suitable to later versions of windows.

jaclaz

 

[dmiranda]

9 hours ago, Dixel said:

So, to be honest, I don't know whom to trust. I heard @jaclazis an experienced member, on the other hand, we have {at least} one more user to support him,

but in contrast to Steve, I highly doubt @VistaLover has ever won the Most Valuable Professional award at Microsoft, or even has

a Ph.D., I can't find that information about jaclaz either, also. Looks like they both lack both, so, I want to trust them, but I just don't know...

Beyond the very subtle (but noticeable) FUD, I feel your pain. You'd be better served in a non-xp forum, or paying for advice you can trust, for an OS that you actually use. 

Better yet, get a PhD, and come lecture here, for free.