Troubleshooting

Common issues and how to resolve them. If your problem is not here, see the FAQ or reach out via Contact and Support.

The application will not start

• Make sure you are on Windows 10 or 11 (see System Requirements).
• If the download was compressed, extract it fully first with a tool such as 7-Zip.
• See the SmartScreen note below if Windows blocked it.

SmartScreen blocks the application

Click More info, then Run anyway. The notice appears because ANE is independent freeware without a paid code-signing certificate, it is not a sign that the file is harmful. Full details in the Installation Guide.

The Rename button does nothing

Make sure a valid target path is set and the text field is not empty. If both look right, check that your filters are not excluding every item.

Preview shows "No items would be affected"

Your criteria do not match anything in the selected folder. Re-check the operation, the text, the position (beginning/end/anywhere), and any keyword or format filters.

Rename fails with "Access Denied"

• The file may be open in another application, close it and try again.
• The file may be protected, accept ANE's offer to retry with administrator privileges.

A locked file will not delete in Live Search

The file is in use. Close the application holding it and try again, or use the administrator retry option ANE offers.

Live Search never finishes

You may be scanning a very large tree. Click Stop, then narrow the depth or start from a more specific folder.

Not enough space when generating files

ANE warns you before a fully-allocated run that would not fit. Choose a smaller size, fewer items, another drive, or the Sparse allocation type, which uses almost no real space. See Warnings and Safety.

Generated names are not what I expected

Check your pattern against the Name Patterns Reference. Two common surprises:

• {word:a|b|c} cycles through the words rather than making just three items.
• {date} alone uses today's date for every item, turn on Date sequence to count up one item per date.

The results grid looks empty after a run

It may have been cleared. Run the operation again and watch the grid fill as it works, or check the status bar for the summary.

Scrollbars or windows look light on older Windows

The dark styling of scrollbars relies on a modern Windows feature. On older builds they may appear in the default light colour; this is cosmetic only and does not affect functionality.

See also

• FAQ
• Warnings and Safety
• Contact and Support