Mac
On a Mac, you can easily use the Automator app to easily replace incorrect characters. Ensure you have a backup of all your files just in case.
- Open the Automator app (should be preinstalled)
- New > Workflow
- In the Variables search field, enter Get Specified Finder Items and drag that action to the right
- In the Variables search field, enter Rename Finder Items: Replace Text and drag the action to the right (if prompted to make a copy of the file, do not add the copy since you should already have a backup of all your files)
- To replace spaces with underscores:
- Select Replace Text from the drop down
- Enter a space in the Find field
- Select basename only
- Enter an underscore _ in the Replace field
- To remove parenthesis
- Select Replace Text from the drop down
- Enter ( in the Find field
- Select basename only
- Keep the Replace field empty
- Drag another instance of the Rename Finder Items: Replace Text to the right
- Select Replace Text from the drop down
- Enter ) in the Find field
- Select basename only
- Keep the Replace field empty
- When you are ready, test with one sample file first and drag it into the Get Specified Finder Items
- Click the Run button on the top right
- Check the folder with the original file (ensure you are not looking at your backup folder - your backup folder should remain untouched)
Windows
Search on Google for "batch update file names" to find a variety of simple to use tools.