How To Change To All Caps In Windows File Explorer?

by Yaron Elharar ( @YaronElharar )

Updated September 19, 2026 · First version published May 27, 2023

Vanilla Windows File Explorer still has no uppercase, lowercase, or title-case transformation command. Rename, or F2, only opens the filename so you can type a replacement. It does not convert the selected name. If you need many files in ALL CAPS, the Microsoft first-party bulk path is PowerToys PowerRename — free and open-source — not a built-in Explorer menu. AnyCase can still press Win+Alt+U on one editable filename at a time. That is a poor bulk method now.

What is Windows File Explorer?

File Explorer is the Windows file manager — the window you use to browse disks, folders, and file names. This article is about changing those file names to ALL CAPS, not about converting paragraphs inside documents.

Why you might want all-caps filenames in Explorer

Some folders, export pipelines, and older scripts expect ALL CAPS file names. File Explorer will not apply that convention for you. There is no Format → Uppercase, no Change Case, and no lowercase transform on the Rename ribbon or the ordinary right-click menu.

Bulk uppercase with PowerToys PowerRename

PowerToys PowerRename is Microsoft’s first-party bulk rename utility. It is free and open-source. After you install PowerToys, select one or more files in File Explorer, right-click, and choose Rename with PowerRename. In the text-formatting options, pick all uppercase, then apply. You get a multi-file preview of every new name before you commit, and you can undo the rename. The same formatting list includes all lowercase, all uppercase, title case, and capitalize every word — so this is not only an ALL CAPS tool.

1. Install Microsoft PowerToys from the Microsoft Store or from GitHub. PowerToys supports Windows 11 and Windows 10 version 2004 (build 19041) or later, on x64 or ARM64.
2. In File Explorer, select the files whose names you want in ALL CAPS. You can select many files at once.
3. Right-click the selection and choose Rename with PowerRename.
4. Open the text-formatting options and choose all uppercase.
5. Check the preview, then apply. Use undo in PowerRename or Explorer if you need to reverse it.

The free case converter converts pasted text in the browser. It does not rename files sitting in File Explorer, so do not treat it as a filename bulk tool.

One filename at a time with AnyCase

AnyCase is a Windows 11, 10, 8.1, and 8 utility. It is available in the Microsoft Store. It is not a File Explorer feature, and it is not a multi-platform app. It converts selected text in File Explorer and other Windows programs.

The free version is unlimited to use, with a short delay between conversions. AnyCase Pro is $24 per year and removes that delay. It includes three stations.

Win+Alt+U is a default AnyCase shortcut for uppercase. It is not a File Explorer shortcut. Install AnyCase first; without it, that combination does nothing in Explorer. For this filename workflow, AnyCase works one editable name at a time. Repeating F2 plus Win+Alt+U across a folder is a poor bulk method now that PowerRename exists.

To convert one Explorer filename with the AnyCase menu:

1. Download AnyCase.
2. Install it as you would any other Windows program.
3. In File Explorer, select the file, press F2 (or click the name twice) so the filename is editable, and select the name text.
4. Hold Shift, then right-click the selection. Choose uppercase from the AnyCase conversion menu. Ordinary right-click alone opens the usual Explorer menu, not the AnyCase conversions. Or press the default AnyCase shortcut Win+Alt+U. You can also pick a case from the AnyCase window.
5. Repeat for the next file. Do not treat this as a folder-wide rename.

AnyCase shortcuts that work in File Explorer

These are the default AnyCase shortcuts. You can change them in AnyCase settings. They are not File Explorer shortcuts. Win+Alt+U is UPPERCASE.

Final thoughts on File Explorer capitalization

Vanilla File Explorer still has no case transform — Rename and F2 only let you type a new name. For many files, use PowerToys PowerRename: select files, right-click, Rename with PowerRename, all uppercase text formatting, then apply. You get a preview and undo, plus all lowercase, title case, and capitalize every word. AnyCase Win+Alt+U remains useful for a single editable filename, but it is a one-at-a-time Windows utility, not a bulk Explorer command. The online case converter pastes converted text; it does not rename Explorer files.