Hello there, Mac users! Have you ever felt bored with the plain gray or blue color of your folders? Well, you’re not alone. Many people want to customize their folders and make them look more attractive and organized. Fortunately, changing folder colors on Mac is a simple process that anyone can do. In this article, we will guide you through 12 easy steps to change your folder colors on Mac. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Steps
Step 1:
Firstly, you need to choose the folder that you want to change the color. Right-click on the folder and select “Get Info” or press “Command + I” on the keyboard.
Step 2:
When the info window pops up, click on the folder icon (not the preview of the folder contents).
Step 3:
Next, click on the “Edit” menu at the top left corner of the screen and choose “Copy” or press “Command + C” on the keyboard.
Step 4:
Open the Preview app on your Mac. You can find it in the Applications folder or use the search bar in Spotlight.
Step 5:
In Preview, click on “File” in the top left corner of the screen and choose “New from Clipboard” or press “Command + N.”
Step 6:
You will then see an image of your folder. Click on the “Markup” toolbar icon (looks like a pen inside a circle).
Step 7:
In the Markup toolbar, select the color you want for your folder by clicking on the “Color” icon and choosing a color.
Step 8:
Using the markup tools, color in the folder icon image with your selected color.
Step 9:
Click on “File” and choose “Export” or press “Command + Shift + S.”
Step 10:
Choose a location to save the new folder icon file and make sure the format is PNG.
Step 11:
Go back to the info window of the folder you want to change the color, click on the folder icon again, and choose “Edit” and “Paste” or press “Command + V.”
Step 12:
And that’s it, your folder icon is now changed to your chosen color! You can repeat these steps for any other folder you want to customize.
Explanation
Understanding the Process
The process of changing folder colors on Mac involves creating a new icon image using the Preview app and replacing the original folder icon image with the new one. This can be done by copying the folder icon image from the info window, pasting it into the Preview app, coloring it in, exporting it as a PNG file, and pasting it back into the info window. Once the new icon is pasted, the folder color is changed.
Why Preview App?
The reason we use the Preview app is that it can open and save image files in various formats including PNG, which is the recommended format for folder icons on Mac. Additionally, Preview has a Markup toolbar that lets users color in images with different tools, including a color picker.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1:
To speed up the process, you can use keyboard shortcuts instead of using the menus. For example, you can press “Command + C” instead of clicking on “Edit” and “Copy.”
Tip 2:
You can also use the Markup toolbar to add text, shapes, and signatures to your folder icon. This can be useful if you want to label your folders or add custom designs.
Tip 3:
If you want to remove the custom folder icon and revert to the original one, you can click on the folder icon in the info window, press “Delete” on the keyboard, and confirm the action.
Tip 4:
If you’re not satisfied with the colors available in the Markup toolbar, you can use the color picker by clicking on “Other Color” and choosing a custom color.
Tip 5:
To avoid confusion, try to use distinct colors for different folders. For example, you can use green for work-related folders and blue for personal folders.
Tip 6:
Remember to save the new folder icon as a PNG file to preserve the quality and transparency of the image.
Tip 7:
If you want to change the icons of multiple folders at once, you can select all the folders in Finder, right-click, and choose “Get Info.” Then, you can follow the same steps to change the folder icon.
Tip 8:
If you want to use an image or icon from the internet as your folder icon, you can simply copy the image, paste it into Preview, and resize and color it as desired.
Tip 9:
You can use the same process to change the icons of files and applications on Mac. Simply select the file or app you want to change, follow the steps, and paste the new icon in the info window.
Tip 10:
Lastly, don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors, designs, and images for your folder icons. This can be a fun and creative way to organize your files and express your style.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Changing Folder Colors on Mac
Advantages
1. It makes it easier to organize your files: By assigning colors to your folders, you can quickly identify them based on their color, which helps you to save time when searching for a specific file.
2. Customization: Changing folder colors allows you to personalize your Mac and make it stand out. You can choose colors that reflect your personality or match your style.
3. Provides a visual cue: If you want to prioritize important folders or quickly indicate which folders are related, using specific colors to denote these attributes can be very helpful.
4. Accessibility: Changing the folder colors can also be beneficial for those who have difficulties with color blindness, as it allows them to differentiate between folders and files.
5. Efficiency: When working with a large number of folders, customizing the colors can help improve your workflow and make your Mac experience more efficient.
6. Reduce eye strain: Assigning colors to folders can reduce eye strain, as it makes it easier for your eyes to identify folders and distinguish between them.
7. Fun: Changing folder colors is an entertaining and easy way to add a personal touch to your Mac, making it more enjoyable to use.
8. Organizational benefits: The use of colorful labels can lend itself to a more structured and organized approach to file sorting, leading to better productivity and easier navigation through files and folders.
9. Aesthetic appeal: By creating a color-coded system, folders gain an aesthetic appeal that helps in identifying them better.
10. Tags and Labels can more easily sort folders: Folder tags and labels allow for greater organization and categorization of files. By assigning colors, folders can also be more easily sorted and filtered.
Disadvantages
1. Not all users opt for Mac: Some users may not be familiar with the Mac and iOS environment, and changing folder colors could cause some discomfort.
2. Loss of consistency: When multiple users are working on the same files and folders, uniformity and consistency are necessary to maintain order. Colored folders can interfere with that standardization.
3. Over-reliance on colors: If a user becomes too dependent on color coding, it could be difficult for them to work with folders that do not have colors, which could hinder productivity.
4. Difficulty in focusing: Choosing too many different colors can be distracting and hinders productivity by making it challenging to narrow down what needs to be done first.
5. Confusion: Changing folder colors involves a learning curve, and users who are not tech-savvy, maybe overwhelmed by the added features and functions.
6. Encumbrance in navigation: In some cases, the use of too many bright and luminous colors can make navigation very challenging and taxing on the eyes.
7. Limited number of colors: The number of colors that can be used for customizing folder colors is limited, which may be a concern for some users.
8. Compatibility issues: Not all applications may support folder color modifications, leading to compatibility issues.
9. Time-consuming: Changing folder colors can be very time-consuming when dealing with large batches of files and folders.
10. Less professional: Changing folder colors can make your Mac experience more personal and less professional, which may be a hindrance in business or academic settings.
FAQ
1. Can I change the color of a specific folder on my Mac?
Yes, you can change the color of any folder on your Mac.
2. How do I change the color of a folder on my Mac?
You can change the color of a folder by selecting the folder, clicking “File” in the menu bar, selecting “Get Info,” clicking the folder icon, and then choosing a new color.
3. What are the color options for folders on a Mac?
The color options for folders on a Mac include grey, blue, purple, green, yellow, orange, and red.
4. Can I use a custom color for a folder?
Yes, you can use a custom color for a folder by clicking “Other” in the color options and selecting a color from the color picker.
5. Will changing the color of a folder affect the contents of the folder?
No, changing the color of a folder will not affect the contents of the folder.
6. Can I change the color of multiple folders at once?
Yes, you can change the color of multiple folders at once by selecting all the folders you want to change, clicking “File” in the menu bar, selecting “Get Info,” clicking the folder icon for one of the folders, and then choosing a new color.
7. How do I revert a folder back to its original color?
To revert a folder back to its original color, select the folder, click “File” in the menu bar, select “Get Info,” click the folder icon, and then click the “x” button to remove the custom color.
8. Can I change the color of a folder on an external hard drive?
Yes, you can change the color of a folder on an external hard drive by selecting the folder, clicking “File” in the menu bar, selecting “Get Info,” clicking the folder icon, and then choosing a new color.
9. Can I change the color of a folder on a network drive?
Yes, you can change the color of a folder on a network drive by selecting the folder, clicking “File” in the menu bar, selecting “Get Info,” clicking the folder icon, and then choosing a new color.
10. Why would I want to change the color of a folder?
Changing the color of a folder can help you visually organize your files and make it easier to find specific folders.
11. Can I change the color of a folder in Finder?
Yes, you can change the color of a folder in Finder by selecting the folder, clicking “File” in the menu bar, selecting “Get Info,” clicking the folder icon, and then choosing a new color.
12. Will changing the color of a folder affect how it appears in other applications?
No, changing the color of a folder will only affect how it appears in Finder and other file browsing windows.
13. Can I change the color of a folder on a Mac running an older version of macOS?
Yes, you can change the color of a folder on a Mac running an older version of macOS by selecting the folder, clicking “File” in the menu bar, selecting “Get Info,” clicking the folder icon, and then choosing a new color.
How to Change Folder Colors on Mac
Are you bored with the same plain color of your Mac folders? Well, you can change it! One of the fun features that come with your Mac is the ability to personalize your folder colors. It’s an exciting way to boost your productivity and creativity while at the same time adding some personality to your Mac’s desktop. So, keep reading to learn how to change folder colors in just a few easy steps.
Conclusion and Closing
Changing folder colors on your Mac is incredibly simple, and it’s an excellent way to organize your files and boost your productivity level. You can choose any color you want, label your folders, and make it easier to find specific files. Additionally, customizing your Mac folder makes it look more organized, clean, and personalized. So, what are you waiting for? Follow the simple steps outlined above and give your Mac a fresh new look.
In conclusion, changing folder colors on Mac is a simple process. You can customize your folders to your heart’s content. Doing so will increase productivity levels and make your desktop look more organized and personalized. So go ahead and take your first step towards enhancing your Mac experience. Enjoy customizing your Mac’s folders and happy organizing!
Thank you for reading and good luck with your folder customization!