Salam, Mac users! Are you bored with your boring, old folder icons on your desktop? Do you want to spice up your Mac experience by changing the color of your folders? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will guide you on how to change the color of folders on Mac, step by step. We assure you that it is a straightforward process that only takes a few minutes of your time.
Steps to change the color of folders on Mac
Step 1: Choose the folder that you want to change the color of
Before anything else, you first need to choose the folder that you want to customize. It can be a personal folder where you keep all your photos or a work-related folder where you store all your documents. Once you have identified the folder, right-click on it, and select “Get Info” from the contextual menu.
Step 2: Click on the folder icon
In the “Get Info” window, you will see a small icon beside the folder’s name. Click on it, and it will be highlighted.
Step 3: Copy the icon
Hit the “Command + C” keys on your keyboard to copy the highlighted icon.
Step 4: Open Preview
Next, open the “Preview” app on your Mac. You can find it in your Applications folder or by searching for it using Spotlight.
Step 5: Create a new document in Preview
In Preview, create a new document by clicking “File > New” or by pressing “Command + N” on your keyboard.
Step 6: Change the background color
In the new document that you created, go to “Tools > Adjust Color” in the menu bar. A new window will pop up, allowing you to choose the background color you want for your folder. Play around with the color sliders until you find the perfect shade.
Step 7: Paste the icon
Go back to the “Get Info” window of your folder and click on the highlighted icon again. Hit “Command + V” to paste the icon over the new background color in Preview.
Step 8: Crop the image
Using the crop tool in Preview, crop the image to fit the dimensions of the folder icon.
Step 9: Save the image
Once you’re done cropping the image, save it by clicking “File > Save” or by pressing “Command + S” on your keyboard. Name the file whatever you want and make sure to save it as a PNG file.
Step 10: Open the “Get Info” window of the folder again
Go back to the “Get Info” window of the folder that you want to customize. Click on the highlighted icon and hit “Delete” on your keyboard to remove it.
Step 11: Drag and drop the new icon
From the Finder, drag and drop the new PNG image that you just created onto the highlighted icon.
Step 12: Enjoy your new folder icon!
That’s it! You have successfully changed the color of your folder on Mac. Enjoy your newly customized folder icon that matches your style.
Explanation
Now that we have walked you through the steps, let’s dive into the explanations of each step.
In step 1, choosing the folder that you want to customize is essential because it ensures that you only change the color of the folder that you want and avoid confusion.
Step 2 allows you to identify which folder you are working on, and it also highlights the icon, which is essential in the following steps.
Copying the icon in step 3 ensures that you have the original folder icon saved. This step is crucial in case you want to revert to the original icon.
Launching the Preview app in step 4 is necessary because it allows you to create the new image that you will use as your folder icon.
Creating a new document in Preview in step 5 is crucial in ensuring that you have a blank slate to work on.
Step 6 allows you to set the background color of the new image that you will create, making the customization easier and more personalized.
Pasting the copied folder icon in step 7 ensures that you have the same icon design over the new background color.
Using the crop tool in step 8 ensures that you have the right image dimensions to use as your folder icon.
Step 9 allows you to save the new PNG image file, which is essential in step 11.
In step 10, opening the Get Info window again allows you to remove the original icon and make way for the new icon that you created.
Finally, in step 11, dragging and dropping the PNG image file onto the highlighted icon ensures that you have successfully changed the folder’s color.
Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Use contrasting colors
When selecting the background color for your new folder icon, make sure to choose colors that contrast the text in your files. This makes it easier to read and recognize the contents of the folder.
Tip 2: Use high-quality images
To avoid pixelated images, use high-quality images when creating the new folder icon.
Tip 3: Store your custom folder icon in a safe place
Always save your custom folder icon in a separate folder or a cloud storage service to ensure that you have a backup copy in case of data loss.
Tip 4: Experiment with textures
Don’t limit yourself to solid colors. Experiment with textures like wood, leather, or watercolor to add more personality to your custom folder icons.
Tip 5: Create a folder icon template
Creating a folder icon template in Preview allows you to customize other folder icons easily. All you need to do is change the background color, paste the original icon, crop, and save.
Tip 6: Be consistent
To have a more organized desktop, use the same color palette for all your custom folder icons.
Tip 7: Use third-party apps
If you find the process too tedious, you can use third-party apps like Flavours or Folderol to customize your folder icons.
Tip 8: Sync your custom folder icons
Sync your custom folder icons across all your devices using iCloud to have a consistent and organized folder system.
Tip 9: Use keyboard shortcuts
Using keyboard shortcuts saves you time, especially when copying, pasting, and cropping images. Don’t hesitate to use them!
Tip 10: Have fun with it!
Customizing your folder icons can be a fun and creative process, so enjoy it and let your imagination run wild.
In conclusion, changing the color of folders on Mac is a simple yet effective way to personalize your Mac experience. Follow the steps and tips in this article, and you’ll have your customized folder icons ready in no time!
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Changing the color of folders on Mac can bring a number of benefits, such as:
| Advantages |
|---|
| 1. Easier organization |
| 2. Customization |
| 3. Faster location of folders |
| 4. Better accessibility |
| 5. Visual appeal |
| 6. Personalization |
| 7. Improved productivity |
| 8. Reduced eye strain |
| 9. Easier identification of folders |
| 10. Enhanced design |
By using colors as a way to differentiate folders, users can easily locate their files without having to carefully read their names. Additionally, the customization aspect of Macs means that users can choose colors that suit their preferences, making the interface more personalized and visually appealing.
Customization also means that users can prioritize certain folders, while others can be easily distinguished as those of lesser importance. This can enhance productivity, allowing users to quickly find the files they need without scanning through a long list of names.
The reduced eye strain is another benefit of colored folders as it eliminates the need for users to squint or strain their eyes to find the right folder, which can lead to eye issues in the long run. This benefit is particularly important for those who work on their Macs for long periods of time.
Disadvantages
While there are numerous benefits to changing the color of folders on Macs, there are also some drawbacks, such as:
| Disadvantages |
|---|
| 1. Limited options |
| 2. Inconsistent color coding |
| 3. Potential confusion |
| 4. Time-consuming |
| 5. Affected by color blindness |
| 6. Can distract from work |
| 7. Not suitable for all users |
| 8. Can cause clutter |
| 9. May not transfer to other devices |
| 10. Overcomplicates organization |
One disadvantage of color coding is that there are only a limited number of colors to choose from. This can limit users in their customization options.
Another disadvantage is that color coding can be inconsistent, particularly if multiple users are accessing the same folders. This can cause confusion and make it difficult to quickly locate specific files.
Furthermore, color blindness can hinder the effectiveness of color coding, as some users may not be able to differentiate between certain colors.
The customization aspect of changing the color of folders can also be time-consuming, particularly if users want to organize a large number of files. Furthermore, it can cause clutter if not properly managed.
Finally, while some users find color coding to be helpful for organization, others find it overcomplicates things and makes it harder to find the files they need.
FAQ
1. Can I change the color of my folders on a Mac?
Yes, you can easily change the color of your folders on a Mac.
2. Why would I want to change the color of my folders?
Changing the color of your folders on a Mac can be a great way to personalize your computer and make it look more organized and visually appealing.
3. How do I change the color of a folder on my Mac?
To change the color of a folder on your Mac, you can right-click on the folder and select “Get Info”. Then, click on the folder icon and select the color you want from the color palette.
4. Can I choose any color for my folders?
Yes, you can choose from a wide range of colors for your folders, including custom colors.
5. Can I change the color of multiple folders at once?
Yes, you can change the color of multiple folders at once by selecting them all and then following the steps to change the color of one folder.
6. Will changing the color of my folders affect their contents?
No, changing the color of your folders will not affect their contents. It is simply a visual change.
7. Can I revert back to the original color of a folder?
Yes, you can revert back to the original color of a folder by following the same steps to change the color and selecting the default color.
8. Does changing the color of my folders affect their functionality?
No, changing the color of your folders will not affect their functionality.
9. Can I change the color of system folders?
No, you cannot change the color of system folders on a Mac.
10. Can I change the color of my desktop icons?
Yes, you can change the color of your desktop icons on a Mac by following similar steps to changing the color of a folder.
11. Can I change the color of the dock on my Mac?
Yes, you can change the color of the dock on your Mac by going to System Preferences > General > Appearance.
12. Will changing the color of my folders affect their visibility?
No, changing the color of your folders will not affect their visibility.
13. Can I use images or patterns for folder icons instead of colors?
Yes, you can use images or patterns for folder icons by selecting “Custom Icon” in the Get Info window and selecting an image or pattern file.
Conclusion
Changing the color of your folders on Mac can add more fun and personality to your desktop. It can also help you to easily recognize your folders and make your work more organized. With the simple steps provided in this article, you can now customize your folder colors to your liking. Remember to always backup your files before making any changes to your system.
Closing
Thank you for taking the time to read this article on how to change the color of folders on Mac. We hope that this has been helpful in providing you the steps needed to customize your folders. If you liked this article, feel free to share it with your friends and followers. If you have any questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below. Until next time, happy customizing!