(How to Rename a Folder in Linux) Organizing folders in Linux is quite easy, and, therefore, changing their names is also easy. It can also be done using different methods depending on the station. Whether you work in the terminal using the command line interface or in a graphical environment, Linux offers comfortable approaches to renaming folders. This guide will show you both techniques and the sequence of the steps, as well as the commands to use to rename the folders.
1. Renaming Folders Using the Command Line
1.1. The mv Command
The Linux command most commonly used for renaming files and directories is mv, which is short for move. Although mv is commonly used for file and directory movement between two different locations, you can also rename them using mv.
Syntax:
[old_folder_name]: The current name of the folder.
[new_folder_name]: The new name you want to assign to the folder.
Example:
Let’s say you have a folder named old_folder and want to rename it to new_folder. The command would look like this:
You simply need to run this command and the folder old_folder will be renamed to new_folder. This action does not necessitate relocation of the folder to another different place on the filesystem; it only renames a directory.
Handling Errors:
Permission Issues: If you do not have write permissions to rename a folder, for example, if you are not a directory owner you will receive an error message indicating permission denied. In such cases, you can use sudo (if you have administrative privileges) to execute the command:
Non-Existent Folder:
If it doesn’t work then you get a message saying you have entered the wrong path or the folder does not exist as you make an attempt to rename it. Typically, using the ls command to list out all files and directories, make sure the folder name is correctly written as the one you copied into the new directory and that the directory you are presently in is the correct one.
1.2. Renaming Multiple Folders
The mv command also allows the renaming of several directories at one instance, especially when one uses the wildcard *. For example, if you want to rename all folders that start with “project_” to a new name pattern, you can use the following approach: This will simply rename the show of directories that start with “project_” to a new name pattern that will start with “new_name_”
This will rename all directories starting with “project_” to a new name pattern starting with “new_name_”.
1.3. Using Wildcards to Rename Multiple Directories
Occasionally it is possible to want to rename directories in mass which is possible by using the wild card option. For instance:
This command will rename all directories that start with myfolder to a new name pattern starting with newfolder.
2. Renaming Folders Using a Graphical User Interface (GUI)
However, if you have a problem using the command line interface, you can rename your folders and files in Linux through a Graphical User Interface. All known current interfaces, like GNOME, KDE, or Xfce allow renaming folders using straightforward mechanisms.
2.1. GNOME (Ubuntu, Fedora, etc.)
Open File Manager: To start using file manager, either on the left there is the icon of file manager or do it by Super+E keys where Super is the Windows key.
Navigate to the Folder: But before you start to rename your folder, make sure that you know what type of folder is it: The following are steps you should follow; Open the folder which you wish to rename.
Right-click on the Folder: Right-click the folder that you want to rename. Select “Rename”: Right-click and from the options available choose “rename”.
Type the New Name: Click on the new name for the folder and start typing the new name, after completing typing the name press the enter button.
2.2. KDE Plasma (Kubuntu, Manjaro, etc.)
Open Dolphin File Manager: To access the Dolphin file manager either from the application menu or with the use of Alt + Space then again search for Dolphin.
Locate the Folder: In the file explorer, look for and select the folder you want to rename.
Right-click on the Folder: Right-click on the folder. Select “Rename”: From the context menu go to the option “Rename.”
Edit the Name: Type the new name for the folder and press [Enter].
2.3. Xfce (Xubuntu, etc.)
Open Thunar File Manager: Click on the icon named ‘thunar that would be on the application menu.
Navigate to the Folder: They should save the file in the new location where they want to rename the folder.
Right-Click the Folder: Right-click on the folder. Choose “Rename”: In the list that is shown, right click and choose “Rename”.
Rename the Folder: Type the new name and hit on the enter key.
3. Handling Spaces and Special Characters in Folder Names
In this section procedures are presented on how to manage spaces and special characters in folder names. That is why if your folder name contains spaces or special characters, you have to be careful with the way they are used when typing the command line. The shell, by design, interprets a space as a delimiter and therefore the folder name needs to be pre-fixed with a back slash (\) or surrounded with quotes [“].
Example with spaces:
Alternatively:
If your folder name contains special characters like &, #, or $, you should escape them with a backslash or use quotes to avoid errors:
or
4. Renaming Folders with Permissions and Ownership Changes
If you attempt to rename a folder, the ownership as well as the permission settings of that folder rein with the same values. However, if you have to change the permission or ownership in the process of renaming, there is a special utility for it – chmod or chown.
Change Ownership: To change the owner or group of the folder after renaming:
Change Permissions: To change the folder’s permissions:
This would grant read, write, and execute permissions to the owner, and read and execute permissions to others.
5. Troubleshooting Common Issues
5.1. Folder Doesn’t Exist
If you get a response something like this; No such file or directory, you need to check the directory you are in by typing; ls If you are in the wrong directory, then, type cd to change directory to gain access to the right directory.
5.2. Permission Denied
If you don’t have the required permissions, use sudo for administrative privileges. For example:
5.3. File System Issues
Sometimes file systems have special characteristics; these peculiarities may manifest themselves especially when workings with external storage devices or network file systems. Check that renaming operation is possible for the files and that the file system is not mounted with special options.
6. Conclusion
Changing the folder name in Linux system is also very easy and can be done both via terminal and via GUI interface. The basic but usual terminal utility to use in order to rename directories is the mv command that serves as the simplest method to do it. For more graphics oriented people, nearly all of the Linux desktop environments will make renaming of the folder right directly from the context menu.
In any case, with Linux, you can work with your directories the way you want them to be worked: whether you do personal amateur work or manage a huge system.
