Freedom251 › File Renaming Software
Ant Renamer
What Ant Renamer is
Ant Renamer is a free Windows program for changing many file and folder names according to rules you choose. Its actions include changing extensions, replacing or inserting text, moving or deleting characters, adding enumeration, and changing letter case. It can build names from MP3 ID3 v1.1 tags, file modification dates and times, EXIF information, regular expressions, or a supplied 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 is based on old tools and does not use newer Windows features. The maker provides help files, online manuals, a forum, and email contact.
Who it suits
Ant Renamer suits Windows users who need to rename batches of files or folders using text rules, metadata, or regular expressions. It is also an option for users who prefer a portable ZIP package or open-source software.
What it does well
- Free software under the GNU General Public License.
- Supports regular expressions and metadata-based naming.
- Can rename folders as well as files.
- Unicode names are supported on NT systems.
- Available as an installer or portable ZIP.
What to know first
- Available for Windows only.
- Unicode support is limited to NT systems.
- Based on old tools and does not use newer Windows features.
Limits
Unicode filenames are supported only on NT systems. The maker also notes limitations on older Windows systems.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Ant Renamer | Free software · source code available · Windows program | Free |
As antp.be lists them, read 3 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Ant Renamer website.
- Download version 2.13.0 as an installer or portable ZIP package.
- Run the program on Windows.
- Choose a renaming action or a metadata, pattern, or list-based naming method.
- Preview the proposed names, then apply the changes.
Verdict
Ant Renamer covers a broad set of batch name changes and metadata-based naming rules without changing file contents. Its Windows-only support and older technical base are worth considering.
Questions
Is Ant Renamer free?
Yes. It is free software under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the user's option, any later version.
Which operating system does it support?
Ant Renamer is a Windows program. Its maker describes testing from Windows 98 and NT4 through Windows 10 and 11, with some limitations on older systems.
Can it rename folders as well as files?
Yes. It changes both file and folder names, and does not modify their contents.
Does it support Unicode filenames?
Yes, on NT systems. Supported examples include Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic characters.
How can I get the program?
Version 2.13.0 is available as an installer or portable ZIP package from the Ant Renamer website.
What license does it use?
It is licensed under the GNU General Public License version 2 or, at the user's option, a later version.
Facts from Ant Renamer's own pages
- 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
- 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
- Founded
- 2003 · antp.be, 28 Sept 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
- 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
- Maker location
- Antoine Potten says he lives in Brussels, Belgium. · 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
- 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
- Purpose
- Ant Renamer makes it easier to rename large amounts of files and folders using specified settings. · 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
- Scope
- The program modifies only file and folder names. · 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
- Unicode
- Unicode file names are supported, including names containing Japanese, Chinese, and Arabic characters. · 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
Where Ant Renamer stands on Freedom251
- File Renaming Software#7 of 31