Renaming subfolders along with the files inside refers to the process of changing both the name of a parent folder and automatically updating the names of the files contained within its subfolders in a consistent manner. This is different from just renaming the top-level folder itself. Changing a folder name manually only alters that specific directory path; any files residing deeper within its structure remain unaffected. To rename both the enclosing folders and their contents requires a batch approach, systematically traversing the folder hierarchy.

Common use cases include reorganizing photo libraries (e.g., renaming a folder like "Holiday_2023" to "Vacation_Summer_2023" and its associated pictures like "DSC_001.jpg" to "Vacation_Summer_2023_001.jpg"), restructuring software project directories, or standardizing naming conventions for collections of documents. Tools like Bulk Rename Utility (Windows), specialized file management scripts (e.g., Python with os and shutil modules), the rename command in Linux/macOS terminals, or features like PowerRename in PowerToys are often employed.

The major advantage is significant time savings and ensuring consistency across large nested file sets. Key limitations involve the risk of accidental renaming or loss of file associations if paths break, especially if the changes impact program references or linked files. Automation requires careful rule definition to ensure accurate renaming. Future tools might offer more intuitive graphical interfaces for deep renaming tasks.