Bulk Move Files Using Batch Command

Moving multiple files can be an extremely tedious and time-consuming task.

Your hard drive may be running with different files gathered into a single directory. So even if you need to move bulk files, you have to look after each of them, select and move them to a new location, and repeat the act over and over again for files stored in different directories.

Let’s say, you’ve tens of thousands of files starting with the name Sorcim and ending up with random numbers. Since there are many other unwanted files in the same directory, it is difficult to identify and choose the ones you desire to move. If you wish to move files in bulk and/or rename them automatically, you can use the Easy File Renamer software. It has 8+ renaming rules and comes with a cloud renaming feature. Download it.

Move Files in Bulk Automatically

Easy File Renamer follows Google Software Principles

There are, however, two simple ways in given circumstance:

a)   Using a Batch command

b)   Sort, rearrange and move files using file selection shortcuts

Using a Batch Command

Batch is commonly abbreviated as .bat, a type of file that automatically executes given set of commands. It is fairly easy to create a Batch file.

  1.   Open Notepad. To do so, click Start; select Notepad if your Windows 10 is running with all recent updates. If not, find it out into the All Apps category.
  1.   Insert the following text with little changes as may be required:

move /-y “<Source Directory> <Single Space> *<Keyword at the beginning of each file name> *.<File Extension>” “<Destination Directory>”

pause

Example:

move /-y “C:\Users\XXX\Documents\ *Sorcim*.txt” “E:\XYZ\”

pause

  1.   Press Ctrl + S.
  2.   Save the file with following parameters:
  • File Name: Bulk File Moving Batch.bat
  • File Location: Desktop
  • Save as Type: All Files
  • Encoding: ANSI (Default selection)
  1.   Close the newly created Notepad file.
  2.   Double click Bulk File Moving Batch.bat file.

Let’s look into the command in a broader aspect.

1. The first part of the command # 1 is defining a source and destination followed by “move /-y” command.

As you can notice, we used a single dash (-) before “y” which signifies each time there is a file with the same name in destination directory, you’ll be prompted whether to replace it or not. The above command is merely saying: Prompt every time there is a file with identical name. Do NOT replace it automatically.

2. You may, however, replace that part with “move /Y” if your destination directory is empty, or if you don’t care about your files being replaced. This command suppresses all confirmation prompts. Use it carefully.

If you need to make changes to your Bulk File Moving Batch.bat file, right click it, select Edit option from the context menu.

Sort, Rearrange and Move Files Using File Selection Shortcuts

Here are some tips & tricks to simplify manual moving process:

  1.   Click the File Explorer icon on your Taskbar, a bar at the bottom of your screen.
  2.   Open the source directory.
  3.   Click the View tab on the Ribbon interface.
  4.   Click the Details icon in the Layout category.
  5.   Click Group by | Name.
  6.   Your files are now rearranged and grouped in namewise manner.
  7.   Use the Ctrl and Shift keyboard commands to select non-continuous and continuous files respectively.
  8.   Once you’re done with selecting all intended files, click the Home tab on Ribbon, and click Move to icon.
  9.   Select a special directory (Desktop, Pictures, Downloads, etc) or click Choose location and locate the target directory.

Bonus Tip

We hope you enjoyed moving bulk files in a hassles manner. Now you can rename files with single click. Easy File Renamer gets all of your renaming tasks done at lightning speed and accuracy. Select a file renaming criteria and rename files with ease. Why waiting? Click here and grab your FREE download now!