Rename Shortcut (F2 / Return)
Rename a selected file: press Return on the Mac, or F2 on Windows. Then type the new name and press Enter.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rename selected file | Return (Enter) | F2 | |
| Confirm the new name | Return | Enter | |
| Cancel renaming | Esc | Esc | |
| Open the selected file | ⌘↓ or ⌘O | Enter | |
| Rename the next file | Tab | Tab |
The one that trips people up
On Windows, select a file and press F2 to rename it. On the Mac it's the opposite of what you'd guess: pressing Enter (Return) starts renaming, while ⌘O opens the file. Type the new name and press Enter/Return to confirm.
Rename several in a row
After confirming one name, press Tab to jump to the next file and keep renaming without touching the mouse. Press Esc at any point to cancel and keep the original name.
FAQ
What is the rename shortcut?
On Windows press F2; on the Mac select the file and press Return (Enter) to start renaming.
Why does Enter open the file on Windows but rename it on a Mac?
Finder and File Explorer map the keys differently: Enter renames on the Mac and opens on Windows, while F2 renames on Windows.
How do I cancel a rename?
Press Esc before confirming to keep the original file name.