Batch Processing & Watch Folders
Rename hundreds of files in one go — or point FilesDesk at a folder and let it keep things tidy forever.
What It Is
Batch processing renames large sets of files in a single run with live progress. Watch folders go a step further: FilesDesk monitors folders you choose and automatically renames new files the moment they arrive.
How It Helps You
- Clear a years-old backlog in one afternoon.
- “Set and forget” folders — downloads, scanner output, and shared drops stay organized without you.
- Safe by design — files are processed one at a time, only after they finish copying, and everything is undoable.
Watch Cloud Drive Folders
The Add Watch Folder dialog detects cloud drives on your machine — iCloud Drive, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Box — plus external volumes. Watch a synced folder and files added from any device get renamed here and sync back out everywhere.
Monitoring Filters
- Exclude file types — e.g.
tmp,log,partare ignored. - Only rename files starting with… — e.g. process only
scan_files.
Each watch folder has its own mode (Smart or a specific template) and an on/off toggle.
Turn on Run on Startup and your watch folders and inboxes keep working after every restart.
Want files moved and tagged as well as renamed? An Organize Flow scoped to a folder arms its watcher automatically — no separate setup needed.
Industries That Benefit
| Industry | How they use it |
|---|---|
| Medical & dental offices | The scanner’s output folder is watched — every patient document is named and filed the moment it’s scanned. |
| E-commerce | Product photo drops are renamed to SKU-friendly names as they arrive from the studio. |
| Distributed teams | A shared Google Drive folder stays organized no matter who drops files in. |
| Property management | Lease scans and inspection photos flow through one watched folder into order. |
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Last updated: 20 August 2026