How to rename a file using PowerShell

We can make use of the Rename-Item cmdlet to rename files in PowerShell. You can find this cmdlet under Microsoft.PowerShell.Management module.

Syntax:

Rename-Item
      -LiteralPath <String>
      [-NewName] <String>
      [-Force]
      [-PassThru]
      [-Credential <PSCredential>]
      [-WhatIf]
      [-Confirm] 
      [<CommonParameters>]

Let's take a look at a few examples,

Example 1: One-Liner

PS> Rename-Item ./data_2023_draft.csv -NewName ./data_2023.csv 

Rename with Path

PS> Rename-Item -Path D:/files/data_2023_draft.csv -NewName D:/files/data_2023.csv

Example 2: Rename a file using Script

<# 

   Code2care.org PowerShell Examples

   Script to rename a file. 

#>

$oldFileName = Read-Host "Enter File Name with Absolute Path To Rename "

$newFileName = Read-Host "Enter a new name for the file "

Rename-Item -Path $oldFileName -NewName $newFileName

Human-Written Content: This article was demonstrated by a human, not AI.

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Read more: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/powershell/module/microsoft.powershell.management/rename-item?view=powershell-7.3