How can I use PowerShell scripting to rename these files?

Question

I am new to Powershell and i need help in renaming multiple video files. So a folder contains files named as below;

  1. Episode S01E01.mkv 
  2. Episode S01E02.mkv 
  3. Episode S01E03.mkv
  …
  …
350. Episode S01E350.mkv

I am trying to build a script that would change the file name from Episode S01E*.mkv to "S01E*.mkv.

I tried to use this script but for the life of me i cannot modify it to my requirement;

$counter = 01
Get-ChildItem *.mkv | ForEach-Object {$newName = "S01E$counter" + $_.Extension Rename-Item $_.FullName -NewName $newName $counter++}

So what have you tried? We are not a PowerShell script writing service — Ramhound
– Ramhound, Commented Oct 18, 2025 at 22:12
I tried using this command but i cannot seem to modify it to my requirement, $counter = 01 Get-ChildItem *.mkv | ForEach-Object {$newName = "S01E$counter" + $_.Extension Rename-Item $_.FullName -NewName $newName $counter++} — Adnan Us Sadiq
– Adnan Us Sadiq, Commented Oct 18, 2025 at 22:22
Hop over and ask stackoverflow.ai as it has suggestions too. — Vomit IT - Chunky Mess Style
– Vomit IT - Chunky Mess Style, Commented Oct 19, 2025 at 18:29

Velvet · Accepted Answer · 2025-10-20 06:09:33Z

6

Using a counter is possibly a bad idea unless you can guarantee that the result of Get-ChildItem is in order.

If you're just trying to remove the string episode from the name, it would be much safer to just use replace.

Get-ChildItem *.mkv |
  ForEach-Object {
    $name = $_.Name -replace 'Episode ', ''
    if ($name -ne $_.Name) {
      Rename-Item $_.FullName -NewName $name
      }
    }

(not tested, typed on mobile so might need to be adjusted)

edited Oct 20, 2025 at 6:09

Velvet

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answered Oct 19, 2025 at 0:40

NickSlash

2,4601 gold badge19 silver badges16 bronze badges

1

@Velvet -- thanks for explaining the sh stuff ... and fixing it back. [grin]

RLDailey
– RLDailey

2025-10-20 06:14:14 +00:00
Commented Oct 20, 2025 at 6:14

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