* name media file

[pete56]

How does one go at renaming media files. I have several media files that I would like to shorten. The files stored in the media folder. Thanks

[ColeValleyGirl]

Open the Media window, click on Media in the main toolbar and then Rename Media File...

[davidf]

Although of course once you have attached a media file to a media record, the name of the file is pretty well irrelevant because the title of the media record can be descriptive in the user's chosen format?

Leaving the names "as downloaded" will for some online databases (eg. FMP) mean that if you try to download a file again (into the same place in the media folder) you will get your operating system's "File already Exists" prompt - which can alert you to the fact that you have "been here before" and are either duplicating work - or in the case of a census image have found a neighbour (which could be relevant).

Is the file name length a "Windows" issue? I know many years ago I got round the "path+filename" length issue by creating virtual drives so that C:\My Documents\Genealogy\ could be replaced with G:\. You need to take care that your backup regime can handle such an approach. (Was that the Subst command - does it still work with Windows 10/11 etc.)