A PowerShell GUI tool to rename RAR archives based on their internal folder structure, with advanced features for selection, logging, and custom prefixes/suffixes.

• Individual checkbox for each file in the grid
• Select All / Deselect All buttons for quick selection
• Precise control over which files to rename

• Automatic Logging: All rename operations are logged to RarRenamer_Log.json
• Detailed Log Entries: Each entry includes:
  • Timestamp
  • Old file path and name
  • New file path and name
  • Success/failure status
  • Error messages (if applicable)
• Selective Undo: Choose which operations to undo with checkboxes
  • Click "Undo Last Operation" to open selection window
  • Select specific operations or use "Select All"/"Deselect All"
  • Click "Undo Selected" to revert chosen operations
• Persistent Log: Works across application restarts

• Prefix Input: Add text before the folder name
• Suffix Input: Add text after the folder name
• Direct Concatenation: Text is added exactly as typed (no automatic dashes or spaces)
  • Use "-Portable" → FolderName-Portable.rar
  • Use " Portable" → FolderName Portable.rar
  • Use "Portable" → FolderNamePortable.rar
  • Use "P-" → P-FolderName.rar
• Apply Button: Recalculate all proposed names with new prefix/suffix values
• Examples:
  • No prefix/suffix: MyApp.rar
  • Prefix "P-": P-MyApp.rar
  • Suffix " Portable": MyApp Portable.rar
  • Suffix "-v2": MyApp-v2.rar
  • Both prefix "P-" and suffix "-x64": P-MyApp-x64.rar

• Windows 7 or later (tested on Windows 7 & 11)
• PowerShell 3.0+ (built-in on Windows 7+)
• .NET Framework:
  • .NET 4.0+ for modern UI with DataGrid (Windows 10/11 default)
  • .NET 3.5+ for legacy UI mode (Windows 7 default)
  • Automatic UI selection: The script detects your .NET version and chooses the appropriate interface
• 7-Zip installed (Download)

• Fully compatible with Windows 7 SP1
• Automatic Legacy Mode:
  • If .NET Framework 3.5 is detected (default on Windows 7), the script automatically uses a simplified interface
  • Legacy mode uses checkboxes instead of DataGrid for full .NET 3.5 compatibility
  • All features work identically - only the visual presentation differs
  • No installation required - works out of the box with Windows 7's default .NET Framework
• Optional Modern Mode:
  • Install .NET Framework 4.5+ to unlock the modern DataGrid interface
  • Download from Microsoft
  • Requires a system reboot after installation
• PowerShell 3.0+ recommended (update via Windows Management Framework)
• If you encounter errors, ensure PowerShell execution policy allows scripts:

  Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

• No configuration needed - runs with modern UI mode automatically
• Uses .NET Framework 4.x (pre-installed)
• Full DataGrid interface with all features

1. Launch the script: Run RarRenamerGUI.ps1
2. Select folder: Click "Browse" or use the default (script location)
3. Scan archives: Click "Scan Archives"
4. Configure prefix/suffix (optional):
   • Enter prefix in the first text box (e.g., "P-" or "MyApp ")
   • Enter suffix in the second text box (e.g., "-v2" or " Portable")
   • Text is concatenated exactly as typed - add your own dashes/spaces
   • Click "Preview" to recalculate all proposed names
5. Select files:
   • Use checkboxes to select/deselect individual files
   • Use "Select All" or "Deselect All" buttons
6. Rename: Click "Rename Selected"
7. Undo if needed:
   • Click "Undo Last Operation" to open the undo window
   • Check/uncheck specific operations you want to undo
   • Use "Select All" or "Deselect All" for bulk selection
   • Click "Undo Selected" to revert chosen operations

1. Scans each RAR file using 7-Zip
2. Analyzes the archive structure to find the first top-level folder
3. Applies optional prefix/suffix to the folder name
4. Determines if renaming is needed:
   • Folder found inside archive
   • Current name differs from proposed name
   • Target filename doesn't already exist
5. Renames the RAR file to match the pattern

Without prefix/suffix:

Archive: test_v1.2.3.rar
Contains folder: "MyApp"
Result: MyApp.rar

With suffix " Portable" (with leading space):

Archive: test_v1.2.3.rar
Contains folder: "MyApp"
Suffix: " Portable"
Result: MyApp Portable.rar

With prefix "P-" and suffix "-x64":

Archive: test_v1.2.3.rar
Contains folder: "MyApp"
Prefix: "P-"
Suffix: "-x64"
Result: P-MyApp-x64.rar

The RarRenamer_Log.json file stores all operations:

[
  {
    "Timestamp": "2025-11-18 14:30:45",
    "OldPath": "C:\\Apps\\app123.rar",
    "NewPath": "C:\\Apps\\MyApp-Portable.rar",
    "OldName": "app123.rar",
    "NewName": "MyApp-Portable.rar",
    "Success": true
  }
]

• Direct Concatenation: Prefix/suffix is added exactly as typed - include your own dashes or spaces
  • Example: -Portable → FolderName-Portable.rar
  • Example: Portable (with space) → FolderName Portable.rar
  • Example: P- → P-FolderName.rar
• Preview Button: After changing prefix/suffix, click "Preview" to see updated names without scanning again
• Selective Undo: Open undo window to choose exactly which operations to revert
• Persistent Log: The log file is saved and works across restarts - you can undo even after closing the program
• The log file grows over time - you can delete it periodically
• You can rescan with different prefixes/suffixes to preview different naming schemes
• Leave prefix and suffix empty for basic renaming (folder name only)

Script works but interface looks different

• This is normal! The script automatically detects .NET 3.5 and uses legacy mode
• Legacy mode = checkboxes in a list instead of DataGrid table
• All features work exactly the same - only visual presentation differs
• To get the modern DataGrid interface, install .NET Framework 4.5+ (optional)

Want to upgrade to modern UI?

• Install .NET Framework 4.5+ manually: Download here
• Reboot required after installation
• Script will automatically detect and switch to modern UI mode

Error: "Join-Path : Cannot bind argument to parameter 'Path'"

• Update PowerShell to version 3.0 or later
• Download: Windows Management Framework 3.0

Error: "Execution Policy"

• Run PowerShell as Administrator
• Execute: Set-ExecutionPolicy -ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned -Scope CurrentUser

"7-Zip not found"

• Install 7-Zip from 7-zip.org
• Ensure it's installed in the default location or available in PATH

"No folder found" status

• RAR archive doesn't contain a top-level folder
• Archive structure is flat (files only, no folders)

Undo doesn't work

• Check if RarRenamer_Log.json exists in the script folder
• Verify files haven't been manually moved/renamed after the operation
• Ensure the log file has valid JSON format

• v2.2 (2025-11-24): Automatic UI mode detection - legacy mode for .NET 3.5 (Windows 7), modern mode for .NET 4.0+
• v2.1 (2025-11-19): Windows 7 compatibility, space preservation in prefix/suffix, bulk undo functionality
• v2.0 (2025-11-18): Added checkboxes, logging/rollback, and prefix/suffix system
• v1.0: Initial release with basic rename functionality

Free to use and modify.