How to Change Uppercase to Lowercase Folder Names?

[donut]

As far as your computer is concerned, there’s no difference between a folder named “my stuff” or “My Stuff,” so Windows may not always accept uppercase or lowercase changes to files or folders. Microsoft calls this “prettying the path,” and it takes just a few steps to get around this for an individual file or folder. You can also prevent Windows from ignoring capitalization changes by editing your Registry, but this is recommended only for very advanced users, with prior experience editing a registry.

 

Instructions

Single-Item Fixes

 

1.       Right-click on the file or folder you want to rename and select “Rename” from the menu.

 

2.      Add an additional letter to the front of the file or folder name. For example, “my folder” would become “zmy folder.”

 

3.      Press “Enter” to accept the name change.

 

4.      Again, right-click on the file or folder and select “Rename” from the menu.

 

5.      Remove the extra letter and change the capitalization to what you want, then press “Enter.” For example, “zmy folder” can now become “My Folder.” Microsoft accepts the change because this was a full name change not just a capitalization of the existing name.

 

 

Long-Term Fix

 

6.      Press “Windows-R” to open up your Run command.

 

7.      Type “regedit.exe” (without quotes) and click “OK.” This opens up your Registry editor.

 

8.      Click “HKEY_CURRENT_USER” under the Computer menu.

 

9.      Click “SOFTWARE | Microsoft | Windows | CurrentVersion | Explorer | Advanced.” This will take you to the proper place to make edits.

 

10.   Double-click “DontPrettyPath” in the editor’s display pane.

 

11.    Set the data value to “1.”

 

12.   Click “OK” and close the Registry editor.

 

13.   Restart your machine. Now Microsoft will no longer ignore your capitalization changes in folder names or anywhere else on your PC.