How to Rename a File or Folder in Mac OS – Step by Step Instructions

Renaming a folder on Mac shouldn’t be a difficult task for you even if you are a first time user. The good thing is that there are usually several ways that you can follow to Rename a File or Folder in Mac OS which we are going to take a look into in this article.

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How to Rename a File or Folder in Mac OS – Step by Step Instructions

Well, in this article we are going to focus mainly on the four most common ways that you can use to rename a folder in Mac, read on to find out more below:

Method number 1: Click-pause-click

For you to rename a folder in Mac in this method, you will have to click on the folder name of the folder and then wait for a second as you keep the cursor on the same folder, click again. In the second click, click on the folder and it will be highlighted and thus the name will be editable. You can then now type in the name that you wish to give the folder.

Method number 2: Select the folder and hit ‘return’ key(click-return)

This is the quickest folder renaming method there is in Mac that is also so easy to use if you need to rename a folder in your Mac device. To rename a folder by this method, you will place the cursor on the icon of the folder to select it you will wait for a second and click it on the name. A text editor will appear for you over the current folder name and you will rename the folder. Just like earlier discussed, this is the quickest method and even most simple one to rename a folder in the Mac system.
There is yet another style under this method known as click-return. In this style, you will select the folder you so wish to rename and then press the return key. Once you have done this the text editor will appear for you and then you can then type in the new name that you wish to give the folder.

Method number 3: Using right-click and then choosing rename from the menu

Right-clicking on the icon of the folder you wish to rename, you will be prompted to then type a new name that you may wish to give the folder.

Method number 4: Renaming a folder via command line

Well, this method is the most advanced of the others when it comes to renaming a folder in the Mac operating system. To successfully rename a folder on your Mac via this method, you will have to type the syntax given below by replacing it with the former name of the folder that you are seeking to rename – Mv old folder name new folder name.

Points to remember when renaming a folder in Mac OS

Even as you rename a folder on your new mac device it is important to note that there are certain folders you shouldn’t attempt to rename. This is because there are usually certain processes and applications in Mac that only work well with folders that have their original names. The folders that you shouldn’t rename on Mac OS include; your user folder and that of your documents, pictures, movies, and download folder.

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