Windows 7 / Getting Started

Renaming files and folders

You can rename file and folder icons directly in Windows 7 by typing over or editing the existing file or folder name, as I outline in these steps:

  1. Open the folder that contains the file you want to rename in an Explorer window such as Documents or Computer.
  2. Right-click the file or folder icon, and choose Rename from the shortcut menu that appears.
  3. Type the new name that you want to give the folder (up to 255 characters) or edit the existing name. You can use the Delete key to remove characters and the → or ← key to move the cursor without deleting characters.
  4. When you finish editing the file or folder name, press the Enter key to complete the renaming procedure.

Tip When the file or folder name is selected for editing, typing anything entirely replaces the current name. If you want to edit the file or folder name rather than replace it, you need to click the insertion point at the place in the name that needs editing before you begin typing.

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In this tutorial:

  1. Computer Management
  2. Disk Management
  3. Opening folders on drives in the Computer window
  4. Mapping a network folder as a local drive
  5. File, Folder, and Library Management
  6. Creating new files, folders, and libraries
  7. Customizing a window's folder options
  8. Changing how you select and open items
  9. Creating compressed (zipped) folders
  10. Extracting files from a compressed folder
  11. Selecting files and folders
  12. Copying (and moving) files and folders
  13. Deleting files and folders
  14. Renaming files and folders
  15. Searching for files
  16. Program Management
  17. Removing or repairing a program
  18. Changing the program defaults
  19. Restart, Sleep/Hibernate, Lock, Log Off, and Shut Down
  20. Windows 7 Explorer
  21. Changing the display of an Explorer window
  22. Sorting and filtering items in an Explorer window