Windows 11 How Can I Replace First Hyphen in a Folder's Name but Leave All Other Hyphens in it Unchanged?

Solution Options​

Option 1: Python Script​

Necessary Steps​

• Make sure you have Python installed, ideally version 3.9 or newer.
• Install the required library: [B]os[/B] (this is part of the Python standard library, so no separate installation is needed).
• Save the following script as rename_folders.py.

Script Code:​

import os

# Change this to your target folder
music_folder = r"C:\MUSIC2025"

# Loop through every folder in the provided directory
for folder_name in os.listdir(music_folder):
    folder_path = os.path.join(music_folder, folder_name)
    # Ensure we're only working with directories
    if os.path.isdir(folder_path):
        # Replace only the first hyphen
        new_folder_name = folder_name.replace(" - ", " = ", 1)
        new_folder_path = os.path.join(music_folder, new_folder_name)

        # Only rename if the new_folder_name differs
        if folder_name != new_folder_name:
            try:
                os.rename(folder_path, new_folder_path)
                print(f"Renamed: '{folder_name}' -> '{new_folder_name}'")
            except Exception as e:
                print(f"Failed to rename '{folder_name}': {e}")

Script Explanation:​

• os.listdir fetches all folders in C:\MUSIC2025.
• folder_name.replace(" - ", " = ", 1) replaces the first instance of [ICODE]" - "[/ICODE] with [ICODE]" = "[/ICODE].
• os.rename renames the folder to its new name.
• It checks first if the name differs (if folder_name != new_folder_name) to avoid pointless operations.

Running the Script:​

• Save the script as a .py file (e.g., rename_folders.py).
• Open a terminal or command prompt.
• Run it using:
  
  Code:

  python rename_folders.py

• It will process the folder names and display the changes made.

Option 2: Batch File​

Necessary Steps:​

• Open a text editor like Notepad and paste the code below.
• Save it as rename_folders.bat.

Batch Code:​

@echo off
setlocal enabledelayedexpansion

:: Target folder
set "music_folder=C:\MUSIC2025"
cd /d "%music_folder%"

:: Loop through directories
for /d %%F in (*) do (
    set "folder_name=%%F"
    call set "new_folder_name=%%F"
    set "new_folder_name=!new_folder_name: - = = !"
    if not "!folder_name!"=="!new_folder_name!" (
        ren "!folder_name!" "!new_folder_name!"
        echo Renamed: "!folder_name!" -> "!new_folder_name!"
    )
)

Script Explanation:​

• %music_folder% is the target folder. Update it as required.
• for /d %%F in (*) loops through folders only.
• set "new_folder_name=!new_folder_name: - = = !" replaces [ICODE]" - "[/ICODE] with [ICODE]" = "[/ICODE] in folder names.
• ren is the rename command to apply the new name.

Running the Batch File:​

• Save the above code as rename_folders.bat.
• Double-click the file to run it.
• It will process all folders under C:\MUSIC2025 and replace the first hyphen.

Things to Keep in Mind:​

• Backup Your Data: Before running any script, always backup your folders in case something goes amiss.
• Test First: Test the script or batch file on a smaller dummy directory to verify results before applying it to all 5,000+ folders.
• Subfolders (if any): These scripts handle just the top-level folder names in C:\MUSIC2025. If you want to handle deeper levels, additional adjustments are needed.
• Customization:
• If you have unusual folder name patterns, share them, and I can tweak the script further.
• Be cautious of folder names with conflicting characters (e.g., reserved symbols).