Getting Started

This page takes you from downloading ANE to your first successful rename in a few minutes.

1. Get ANE

ANE comes in two editions, both contain the same application, so pick whichever suits you:

• Portable: a single program you run directly. Nothing is installed. Great for a USB drive or a quick try.
• Installer: a standard setup that adds shortcuts and an entry in Apps & features for easy removal later.

Download either edition from the Releases page. For full details, including the SmartScreen notice you may see the first time, read the Installation Guide.

Or, as a faster command-line solution, you can also get ANE via WinGet:

winget install Avarwand.ANE

Note: the WinGet package is currently at version 1.9. For the latest 2.1 build, download it from the Releases page.

2. Open ANE

• Portable: double-click the program file, it opens immediately.
• Installer: run the setup, then launch ANE from the Start menu or desktop shortcut.

When ANE opens you will see a single dark window divided into a few clear zones:

• A path bar at the top for choosing the target folder.
• A settings panel where you pick the operation, target type, text, and filters.
• Action buttons: Rename, Preview, and the tool windows (Live Search, Selection File Edit, Batch Data Generator).
• A results grid that logs what ANE did.
• A status bar with a progress bar at the bottom.

3. Your first rename

Let's add the word Holiday_ to the beginning of some photo names.

1. Click Browse and select the folder that contains your files.
2. Set the operation to Add.
3. Set the position to Beginning.
4. Type Holiday_ in the text field.
5. Set the target type to Files only.
6. Click Preview to see what the results will look like, nothing is changed yet.
7. When you are happy, click Rename and confirm.

Green rows in the results grid are successes; red rows are errors with a reason.

Tip: Always use Preview before a large rename. It shows you exactly what will change, so there are no surprises. ANE also asks for confirmation before every bulk action.

4. Explore the other tools

Once you are comfortable with renaming, try the three tool windows, each opened from a button in the main window:

• Live Search: find files and folders anywhere, then copy, move, or delete them.
• Selection File Edit: gather files scattered across many subfolders into one place.
• Batch Data Generator: create dummy files or folders in bulk.

Where to go next

• Features Overview: a tour of everything ANE can do.
• Examples and Use Cases: practical, real-world scenarios.
• Warnings and Safety: important behaviours to know before large jobs.