"Move, but keep both files" ~ Any way to rename original file instead?

[crackshot91]

"Move, but keep both files" ~ Any way to rename original file instead?

Hello, I'm wondering if there is a way to alter this functionality a bit. When I copy and overwrite a file, I'd love an option that basically did this:

"Move, but keep both files - The file you are overwriting will be renamed filenamehere(1).jpg"

Is there any way to do this?

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Hi,

When you copy/move a file into a folder and that folder already has a file in there with the same name, you should see this:



You would then just select the highlighted option and that would keep both files, do you not get this option?

Regards,
JDobbsy1987

 

[SIW2]

Yes, he gets that option.

He wants it to rename the original file automatically - not the one he is copying over.

That would be much better.

 

[JDobbsy1987]

Ah, I see, sorry for my miss-understanding

I have never thought of that but I think I would prefer that too
Sorry that I don't have the answer to this but will stick around to see if it is possible

 

[WebMattR]

To the best of my knowledge, this isn't possible without some kind of third party software.

 

[Digerati]

He wants it to rename the original file automatically

That's not how I read it. He said,

I'd love an option that basically did this:

"Move, but keep both files - The file you are overwriting will be renamed filenamehere(1).jpg"

The file you are overwriting is the destination file, not the originating file. At least that is how I read it.

 

[SIW2]

Exactly, he wants to rename the file that is already there - not the file he is now copying.

Windows default behaviour is the other way round.

If he was happy with windows default - he wouldn't be asking the question.

 

[FliGi7]

That would be a good option to add, to rename the file being overwritten rather than the file being copied.

 

[WebMattR]

I say, gents, that we wait for Crackshot to post again before we derail his thread discussing what he meant.

Fligi: But then, for every person who uses it correctly, we'd have two people posting here not having a damn clue what they did with their original file. No, I think Windows Dev Team did it correctly, no offense to the original poster.

 

[FliGi7]

That's true about changing the original file. It's always one step forward and two back. I have started becoming nostalgic when I don't see the daily thread about Windows 7 search not having any of the features XP.

 

[crackshot91]

I am very sorry I haven't responded sooner. I didn't expect this kind of response!

To clarify: What I would like is when copying a file to a folder where an identical exists, an option to rename the original file, that is, the one that was already in the folder, by appending a simple "(1)" or "(bak)" to the end of the file name. IE: a reverse of the current option to rename the file being moved.

Fligi: But then, for every person who uses it correctly, we'd have two people posting here not having a damn clue what they did with their original file. No, I think Windows Dev Team did it correctly, no offense to the original poster.

That's a fair point, WebMattR... Maybe if the option was hidden? sort of like "more information" when you are moving data, but "more options".

 

[WebMattR]

So, I now've a question. Are you backing up the same file repeatedly? If so, there probably is 3rd party software that'll archive the old version for you.

 

[Imperfect1]

Actually, there might be another way to accomplish the same purpose -- sort of a work-around:

Open Windows Explorer and rename the original file FIRST - filenamehere(1); then open the file and SaveAs, naming the new file filenamehere(2).

 

[Digerati]

There are several bulk rename utilities that work great. To rename the original files would still require some sort of work around, but at least with a bulk renamer, you can manipulate several files at once, instead of one at a time. You can rename all the originals, copy them, then rename all the copies.

But, WebMattR is right when he said the "Windows Dev Team did it correctly" - although actually, the common sense method used by default today was developed long before Windows 1.0 - before Microsoft even.

 

[MarkC0]

So where could I find third party software that could help me resolve the issue the OP explained?

 

[MarkC0]

I can't imagine there isn't something out there to fix this... I am looking to have the ORIGINAL file renamed, not the file I am moving. Any solutions?

 

[FliGi7]

The solution could be coded up in Perl or Python or whatever, then compiled to an .exe so it could be run from the command line. All you'd have to do is check the destination directory for the file being copied, rename it according to what the user wants (solicit this option at the command line), and copy the file. Someone on here with more time than me should be able to do this relatively quickly.

 

[MarkC0]

The solution could be coded up in Perl or Python or whatever, then compiled to an .exe so it could be run from the command line. All you'd have to do is check the destination directory for the file being copied, rename it according to what the user wants (solicit this option at the command line), and copy the file. Someone on here with more time than me should be able to do this relatively quickly.

I agree, seems like something rather simple for someone savvy with this kind of thing. Yet I cannot find it anyyyyywhere, I mean I've checked every major open-source community... nothing xD.

 

[MarkC0]

Hate to double post but better than making a new thread. I dreadfully need a solution to the problem the OP has explained. Any help would be appreciated!

I need to move specific files to folders containing thousands of other files. I won't be moving many files in bulk, nor will I be moving files into a specific location, it's basically random.

 

[MarkC0]

I'm lost for words... to see the complicated things people have added on to Windows... to think there isn't a third party file management program that could do this at the very least... maybe everyone is just annoyed at my double-posts? Help, please. pretty please.