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If you are an avid Mac user, you probably know how to do basic things such as creating and renaming folders. But did you know that you can also edit the color of your folders to make them look more visually appealing and organized? Changing the color of your folders can make a huge difference in how you perceive your files and how easy it is to locate them on your computer. In this blog post, we will guide you through the different methods you can use to edit folder color on Mac.
Video Tutorial:
What’s Needed
To change the color of your folders on Mac, you’ll need the following:
- A Mac computer
- Finder application
- Folder icons in different colors
- Folder image editing software (optional)
What Requires Your Focus?
Before we dive into the different methods of editing folder color on Mac, it’s important to focus on a few things:
- Choose a color that appeals to you and that’s easy to recognize
- Do not use overly bright colors that may strain your eyes or make it difficult to read the folder name
- Ensure that you have backup files of your original folder icons in case you want to revert back to them later
Different Methods to Edit Folder Color on Mac
Method 1: Changing Folder Color Via Finder
Finder is the native file explorer application in Mac that allows you to easily navigate through your files and folders. Here’s how you can change the color of your folders using Finder:
- Locate the folder that you want to change the color of in Finder
- Right-click on the folder icon to open the contextual menu
- Select "Get Info" from the menu
- Click on the folder icon on the top left corner of the Get Info window
- Select "Edit → Copy" from the menu bar or use the keyboard shortcut "Command + C"
- Open a folder icon image editing software (such as Preview)
- Select "File → New from Clipboard" from the menu bar or use the keyboard shortcut "Command + N"
- Edit the color of the folder icon as desired
- Select "File → Save" from the menu bar or use the keyboard shortcut "Command + S"
- Close the image editing software
- Go back to the Get Info window of the folder you want to change the color of
- Click on the folder icon again on the top left corner of the window
- Select "Edit → Paste" from the menu bar or use the keyboard shortcut "Command + V"
- The folder icon should now be changed to the new color you chose
Pros:
– Free and easy to do
– Does not require any additional third-party software
– Can be done quickly using keyboard shortcuts
Cons:
– Limited to a few default colors
– Cannot set custom colors
Method 2: Changing Folder Color Via Terminal
Terminal is a command-line application in Mac that you can use to perform various tasks. Here’s how you can change the color of your folders using Terminal:
- Open Terminal on your Mac
- Type in the following command:
osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to set label index of (POSIX file "path:to:your:folder") to LABEL' - Replace "path:to:your:folder" with the actual path to the folder you want to change the color of
- Replace "LABEL" with the number of the color you want to set (0 for no color, 1 for red, 2 for orange, 3 for yellow, 4 for green, 5 for blue, 6 for purple, 7 for gray)
- Press "Enter" to execute the command
- The folder color should now be changed to the color you chose
Pros:
– Can set any color
– Can be done quickly using terminal commands once you get the hang of it
– Does not require any additional third-party software
Cons:
– Requires knowledge of command-line interface and syntax
– Can be confusing for beginners
Method 3: Changing Folder Color Using Third-Party Software (FolderPainter)
FolderPainter is a third-party application you can download and use to change the color of your folders on Mac. Here’s how to use FolderPainter:
- Go to the FolderPainter website and download the application
- Open the downloaded FolderPainter.dmg file and drag the application to your Applications folder
- Open FolderPainter from your Applications folder
- Drag the folder you want to change the color of into the FolderPainter window
- Select the color you want to set for the folder from the color wheel
- Click "Apply" to set the new color for the folder
Pros:
– Easy to use with a user-friendly interface
– Can set any color
– Has additional features such as batch color change and opacity adjustment
Cons:
– Requires downloading and installing third-party software
– Only works with one folder at a time
Method 4: Changing Folder Color Using Third-Party Software (Tagit)
Tagit is another third-party application you can download and use to change the color of your folders on Mac. Here’s how to use Tagit:
- Go to the Tagit website and download the application
- Open the downloaded Tagit.dmg file and drag the application to your Applications folder
- Open Tagit from your Applications folder
- Drag the folder you want to tag and color into the Tagit window
- Right-click on the tagged folder and select "Apply Color to Folder"
- Select the color you want to set for the folder from the color wheel
- The folder color should now be changed to the color you chose
Pros:
– Easy to use with a user-friendly interface
– Can set any color
– Has additional features such as tagging and labeling files and folders
Cons:
– Requires downloading and installing third-party software
– Only works with one folder at a time
Why Can’t I Edit Folder Color on Mac?
There can be several reasons why you might not be able to edit the color of your folders on Mac:
- The folder is a system folder and cannot be edited
- You do not have permission to edit the folder
- Your version of Mac OS does not support folder color editing
To fix these issues, try the following:
- Try changing the color of a different folder
- Make sure you have administrative privileges to edit the folder
- Upgrade your Mac OS to the latest version
Implications and Recommendations
Here are some recommendations for editing folder color on Mac:
- Use colors that are easy to recognize and remember
- Utilize third-party software such as FolderPainter or Tagit for a more efficient workflow
- Have backup files of your original folder icons in case you want to revert back to them later
5 FAQs About Editing Folder Color on Mac
Q1: How do I revert back to the original folder icon after changing its color?
A: To revert back to the original folder icon, simply follow the steps for the method you used to change the color, and replace the new icon with the original one.
Q2: Can I change the color of multiple folders at once?
A: Yes, using third-party software such as FolderPainter or Tagit, you can select and change the color of multiple folders at once.
Q3: Can I use images or photos as folder icons instead of solid colors?
A: Yes, using an image editing software, you can edit the folder icon to include an image or photo of your choosing.
Q4: Can I change the color of system folders on Mac?
A: No, system folders are protected and cannot be edited.
Q5: Can I use keyboard shortcuts to change the color of folders on Mac?
A: Yes, using Method 1, you can use "Command + C" to copy the new icon image and "Command + V" to paste it onto the original folder icon.
Final Words
Editing folder color on Mac can be a fun and useful way to keep your files organized and visually appealing. With the different methods we discussed in this blog post, you can choose the one that works best for you and get started on editing folder colors on your Mac today.