To bulk rename existing media with Rename Media Files: Improve Your WordPress SEO Pro, open the Media Library in list view, select the attachments, and choose Bulk update filename from the Bulk actions dropdown. Files run through a background queue you can watch on the Background Process tab at WPFactory > File Renaming. Back up first.
Before you start #
- This is a Pro feature, so you need the Pro version of Rename Media Files installed and active.
- Back up your site (files and database) first. Renaming existing media changes filenames and can update references.
- Test on a small batch before running the action across your whole library.
Run the bulk action #
- Open the Media Library and switch to list view.
- Select the attachments you want to rename.
- From the Bulk actions dropdown, choose Bulk update filename and apply it.
The selected attachments are processed through a background queue rather than all at once, so large batches do not time out. Each file is run through your current renaming rules.
Watch progress on the Background Process tab #
Go to WPFactory > File Renaming and open the Background Process tab (added by Pro). The Queue Progress indicator (queue_progress) shows how far the queued filename updates have run. If you need to stop a run, the Clear queue option (clear_queue) empties the background queue.
Schedule recurring renaming passes #
To keep filenames updated automatically over time, use the Schedule Filename Update option (schedule_filename_update) on the General Settings tab. Enter a number of hours and Rename Media Files will run a filename update pass on that recurring interval.
Ready to set this up? #
This is a Pro feature of Rename Media Files. If you are still on the free version, upgrading unlocks this along with the rest of the Pro toolkit. Get Rename Media Files Pro.