How to auto-rename files when saving to avoid name collisions?

[g87hcv]

When saving images from Firefox, I always have to type in random filenames to avoid name collisions. Can't Windows just automaticlaly number the files? I don't think there's a way to change it in Firefox.


I have another related question: Rather than saving files with "Untitled," is it possible to automatically save with the current date and time?

 

[iko22]

I don't think there is an easy way to change it in Windows, either.

The only software I am aware of would be scanner software. You'd need to print the images first, then re-scan them in to the computer, and automatically save under current date. Duplicates would be automatically re-named by the scanner software as file_name (1), file_name (2), etc. But then youd have the problem of needing to reprint all your images, in order to use the scanner software.

The snipping tool that comes with the Windows OS should be able to do that, but it doesn't.

A novel solution would be to use a camera and a tripod to take photos of the screen. Unique Image names would be assigned by the camera. You would then upload the camera images to the computer under the date taken.

So, I only know scanner software and camera image uploading that automatically re-names duplicates or assigns a unique file name according to date and time.

Someone else may know different to me.

 

[wither 2]

Whenever, you try to add a file to a folder where there's already a file with the same name, Windows will ask you if you want to replace it or make a copy. You could always use the copy option. If I remember correctly, Windows will number multiple copies. I don't know if that would help you or maybe I'm missing something.

 

[iko22]

Hello Wither 2, That trick you suggested only works when doing MOVE or COPY actions from within Windows Explorer. So the files are on the HDD already, before this is possible.

If you try that when doing SAVE or SAVE AS actions, you will likely be prompted with "File already exists. Do you want to overwrite (Y/N)?" dialog.

Having said that, I think Windows OS starts numbering copies, if you do Windows Explorer > Right-mouse click in a free space > New, and create new files from in there.

So it might be possible to create image files from the right-mouse context menu, and then overwrite them when you go to save an image from within the browser.

Problem there is you would have to remember which file you overwrote last, otherwise you'd end up overwritting some files twice and others not at all.

 

[cornemuse]

I (almost) always "save as" give file a short discriptive name, or ', , , want to rename?', 'no', right arrow, add 1 or 2 or etc.

 

[wither 2]

iko22- Thanks for correcting/clarifying what I said.