You need to use the mv command to rename a folder under UNIX operating systems. You must have write permission for all folders.
| Tutorial details | |
|---|---|
| Difficulty level | Easy |
| Root privileges | No |
| Requirements | None |
| Est. reading time | 1m |
Syntax to rename a directory on Unix
The syntax is as follows:
mv old-folder-name new-folder-name
OR
mv /path/to/old /path/to/new
Example: Unix rename a directory command
In this example, a folder called drivers is renamed as olddrivers. Open a terminal (shell prompt) and type the following commands:
ls mv drivers oldrivers ls
OR pass the -v option to get verbose output:
ls mv -v drivers oldrivers ls
Do not prompt for confirmation before overwriting
mv -f dir1 dir2
Prompt for confirmation before overwriting
mv -i dir1 dir2
Pass the -n option to mv command to do not overwrite an existing file/dirname. The -n option overrides any previous -f or -i options:
mv -n dir1 dir2
Recommend readings
- mv(1) command man page
- mv command examples and usage
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🐧 7 comments so far... add one ↓
🐧 7 comments so far... add one ↓
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I how do I move a file or folder into another directory? I have tried mv file.rtf ~/Documents mv ~/file.rtf ~/Documents and mv ~/file.rtf ~/Documents/ none of these work.
I would try:
mv “file.rtf” “Documents”
mv “$HOME/file.rtf” “$HOME/Documents”
~ (tilt) means that you are working in the root directory and in root directory you can not do any changes if you have not only linux as your single o.s.
so (move, rename )changes can be done in home directory only in that case.
I would like to rename all “OK-” directory to “KESZ-” For example from: OK-Brooklyn.Nine.Nine.S02E10.WEB-DL.x264.HUN-SFY I wold like to this: KESZ-Brooklyn.Nine.Nine.S02E10.WEB-DL.x264.HUN-SFY
I need some help :D
try rename command instead.
nice appoarch
For some reason it didn’t work with hidden folders for me. :(
mv .dir .dir2
mv: cannot move .dir to .dir2: Directory not empty