How do I change the extensions of a set of files in dos or otherwise?

Question

i am trying to change .m4a files to .m4b files for an audiobook on my ipod...windows explorer wont seem to let me do it...i'm running xp...so i tried dos and i'm not too sure on how to do it and i dont want to mess anyhting up...help?

Answer 1

Chances are you'll mess something up even if you are successful in changing the extensions.

You can't just change the file extension and expect that to affect how it plays. The formats and file structure of the file itself is what makes the difference, not the extension which can be changed maybe.

What you need is a CONVERTER to convert one type file to another.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Open a DOS window by choosing Start, Run and entering CMD.
In the DOS window, navigate to the folder where the files are.
Then enter this command:

ren *.m4a *.m4b

This will rename all files with the old extension to the new one. Good luck!

PS - just changing the extension of a file does not change its contents. Make sure the contents of the file will still work after you change the extension. If you are looking to change the content format, like from one audio format to another, then, like the other answers above say, you will need a converter program.

Answer 3

Type ren then the name of the file you want to change, then the new file name. Be sure to include the file extension.

Answer 4

rename c:\*.m4a *.m4b or if they're in some folder named "folder" then rename c:\folder\*.m4a *.m4b

and so on