NameQuick reads the file to decide its name.
PowerRename rewrites the name it already has.
PowerRename is free, open source and one right-click away in File Explorer. When the pattern is already in the filename, its search and replace, regex, counters, creation dates and photo EXIF fields with a live preview are hard to beat. NameQuick is the app that renames files based on their content, for Mac and Windows. This comparison is a first-party documentation audit, not an installer test.
PowerRename is free with PowerToys. NameQuick Self-Managed includes 30 renames with no card, on Windows and Mac; Managed includes 100 free renames: 30 in the app without a card or time limit, then 70 more and a 14-day trial when you choose a plan and add a card.
NameQuick
AI reads your files and names them
PowerRename
Free bulk rename in File Explorer
PowerRename wins when the new name can be computed from the old one: replace text, run a regex, number a batch, or insert a creation date or EXIF field. It is free and built into PowerToys. NameQuick wins when the useful name is inside the file, such as the vendor and date on a scanned invoice, or when new files keep arriving in a folder.
Choose NameQuick- when Invoice_0001.pdf or Scan_0042.pdf has to become a vendor, date and document-type name that only the page itself contains.
- Choose PowerRename
- when the name already contains what you need and a free regex, counter, date or EXIF pattern will finish the job.
- Or use both
- Let NameQuick turn each file's contents into a descriptive name, then use PowerRename for a bulk prefix, case change or counter across the set. An integration between the two is not documented as of September 24, 2026.
At a glance
How they compare
| Feature | NameQuick | PowerRename |
|---|---|---|
| Determine a name from content | Reads document text; the AI model reads scans, screenshots and photos from the image, then fills fields such as vendor, date or document type. | Microsoft's page documents transforms of the existing name, plus the file's creation date and photo EXIF or XMP fields. Reading document text, OCR of scans and AI naming are not documented as of September 24, 2026. |
| Exact pattern control | Presets use written instructions or a filename template of AI-read fields and fixed text; a missing field can skip the file, be left out or use your text. | Stronger here: plain or regex search (ECMAScript by default, Boost for features such as lookbehind), capture groups, match all occurrences, case sensitivity, filename-only or extension-only, and include or exclude files, folders and subfolders. |
| Counters, dates and random values | Can put a date the AI reads from the content, such as an invoice date or a photo's date taken, into the name. | Counters with start, increment and padding; random strings and UUIDs; $YYYY, $MM, $DD and time patterns from the file's creation date; four text-case options. |
| Photo metadata | The AI reads what a photo depicts and can fill a date-taken field; Rules can test EXIF facts. | EXIF or XMP patterns include camera make and model, lens, ISO, aperture, shutter, focal length, GPS coordinates, author, copyright and date taken. |
| Review before applying | Preview with supporting evidence, History and undo where still possible. | Preview pane with original and renamed columns, per-file selection and a filter that shows only files that will change. Undo is File Explorer's Undo Rename (Ctrl+Z). |
| Recurring automation | Watched folders on Windows and Mac process new arrivals; Review lets you check names before they are applied. | Runs on a manual File Explorer selection. Settings can restore the last flags and recent search strings. Watch folders and scheduled runs are not documented as of September 24, 2026. |
| Beyond naming | Rules can move and tag renamed files. On Windows, tags are written to file properties, and PDF, PNG and plain-text files are skipped. | Documented as a rename tool for files and folders. Moving, tagging or filing actions are not documented as of September 24, 2026. |
| AI and processing | Choose a local model (Ollama or LM Studio), your own cloud key, or the EU-routed Managed service. With a local model, analysis stays on your computer; with your own key, content goes directly to that provider. | Applies your pattern to names and metadata fields. Microsoft's page suggests Copilot, a separate service, for drafting a regular expression; an AI naming step inside PowerRename is not documented. |
Choose NameQuick when…
- Downloads is full of Invoice_0001.pdf, statement.pdf and Scan_0042.pdf, and the vendor and date are only on the page.
- New files should be named as they arrive in a watched folder, with Review before anything is applied.
- You want each proposed name shown with evidence from the file, plus History and undo.
- You want the same content-based naming on Windows and Mac.
Choose PowerRename when…
- The names already contain what you need and you want to replace, reorder or trim text with regex.
- You want a free, open-source tool that lives in the File Explorer right-click menu.
- You need counters, creation-date patterns or camera EXIF fields such as date taken, camera model or GPS coordinates.
- You use a Windows on ARM PC: PowerToys supports ARM64, while NameQuick ships an x64 installer only.
Contents first, then pattern cleanup.
Use NameQuick when you would otherwise open each file to decide its name. Use PowerRename when the pattern is already in the name.
Scan_0042.pdf2026-05-02_Acme_Invoice_4471.pdfPowerRename can add a client prefix or change case across the batch afterwards.DSC_0417.JPG2026-07-14_DSC_0417.JPGPowerRename's date-taken patterns do this for free. NameQuick is unnecessary.This is a sequential file workflow in File Explorer, not an integration.
Common questions
PowerRename facts and primary sources
First-party documentation audit, not an installer test. Microsoft's PowerRename and PowerToys installation pages were read from the MicrosoftDocs repository that publishes them; the MIT license was read from the PowerToys repository. "Not documented" means the reviewed pages do not describe a capability, not that it cannot exist.
Try NameQuick on your messiest folder. 30 renames, no credit card.