The rename shortcut key in Windows is F2. Click a file or folder once in File Explorer or on the desktop, press F2, type the new name and press Enter.
Windows selects the name without the file extension, so typing replaces only the name and keeps .docx or .jpg safe. On many laptops you need Fn + F2, because F2 also controls brightness or volume.
Quick facts
Rename
F2Laptop
Fn + F2Confirm
EnterCancel
EscRename next file
TabUndo a rename
Ctrl + Z
How to use the rename shortcut key
- Open File Explorer and click the file once. Do not open it.
- Press F2. The name turns into a text box with the name selected.
- Type the new name.
- Press Enter to save it, or Esc to leave the old name.
If the file is open in a program, Windows will refuse to rename it. Close it first. To change the extension too, turn on File name extensions under View, then press End after F2 to move to the end of the name.
Rename shortcut keys in Windows
| Action | Keys |
|---|---|
| Start renaming | F2 |
| Start renaming on many laptops | Fn + F2 |
| Save and rename the next file | Tab |
| Save and rename the previous file | Shift + Tab |
| Jump to the start or end of the name | Home or End |
| Cancel | Esc |
| Undo the rename | Ctrl + Z |
Tab is the time saver. When you are naming a folder of scanned documents, rename the first, press Tab, rename the second, and so on without touching the mouse.
Rename many files at once
Select several files with Ctrl held down or select all with Ctrl + A. Press F2, type one name such as Invoice and press Enter. Windows names them Invoice (1), Invoice (2), Invoice (3) in the order shown. Sort the folder first if the order matters.
Rename shortcut key in laptop keyboards
Look at the F2 key on your laptop. If it shows a sun, speaker or other symbol, pressing it alone runs that symbol action. Use Fn + F2, or switch Fn lock on, which on many models is Fn + Esc, to make the top row behave as plain function keys. Our function key page covers this setting.
Without F2 you can still rename: right click the file and choose Rename, or press Shift + F10 to open the menu and then M in Windows 10. In Windows 11 the rename icon sits at the top of the right click menu.
Renaming in other places
| Where | How |
|---|---|
| Excel sheet tab | Double click the tab, or Alt, then H, then O, then R; see rename sheet |
| Word document | Use Save As to save a copy with a new name |
| Desktop icon | Click it, then F2 |
| Excel cell | F2 edits the cell instead of renaming |
When F2 does not rename
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Brightness or volume changes | Use Fn + F2 |
| File is in use | Close the program that has it open |
| Name not allowed | Names cannot contain these characters: \ / : * ? " < > | |
| Access denied | The folder belongs to the system or another user; copy the file elsewhere |
Rename on a Mac
On a Mac, click the file in Finder and press Return. Type the new name and press Return again. Finder has its own set of file keys, collected on our Mac hub, and other File Explorer keys are in the new folder and delete guides.
Frequently asked questions
What is the shortcut key to rename a file?
What is the rename shortcut key in laptop keyboards?
Often Fn + F2, because F2 shares a key with another function.
Is the rename shortcut the same in Windows 10 and Windows 11?
Yes, F2 works in both.
How do I rename several files quickly?
Rename one, then press Tab to move to the next, or select all and press F2 to number them.
Can I undo a rename?
Yes, press Ctrl + Z straight after.
How do I rename on a Mac?
Select the file and press Return.