How to change executable file name?

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Level 1

2 points

How to change executable file name?

Okay, I am taking I guess that the subject of my post is the correct question. I bought The New York Times TIMES READER app. The problem is, I can't change the name of the App. If I right click, get info, I can't go into the box and change the name. It is locked, so are the permissions. Any way of changing this? I am guessing it is because of the executable file? in the contents? I don't know, but I sure would like to change the name of this. Thanks.

Macbook Pro 17" Unibody, Mac OS X (10.6.1)

Posted on Oct 25, 2009 10:39 AM

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Answer 1

K T

Level 7

23,889 points

Oct 25, 2009 10:44 AM in response to jaredddddd

If you are comfortable digging inside the package, you might be able to rename. Not sure if this is up your alley or why you insist on doing it, but hey....

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Answer 2

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Oct 25, 2009 10:46 AM in response to jaredddddd

Out of curiosity, why do you want to do that? Note that some apps (poorly written apps) will have problems if you rename them.

That said, what you describe sounds like a permissions problem. Do you have administrative permissions? If not, you won't be able to do it anyway. If you do, and you can't change the permissions through the Get Info window, you could use the Terminal to rename it.

Open the Terminal and type "sudo mv " (without quotes, and remember the space following the "mv"). Drag the app onto the Terminal window and it'll add the path to the app. Now do that a second time, and backspace over the old name in the second path and type a new name. The result should look something like this:

sudo mv /Applications/oldappname.app /Applications/newappname.app

Hit return, enter your password when asked and see what happens.

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Answer 3

jaredddddd Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 25, 2009 10:50 AM in response to thomas_r.

- I couldn't find a way to change it going into the pacakage contents...
- When I tried the terminal fix it responded
"-bash: /Users/Work/Desktop/Times Reader.app: is a directory"

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Answer 4

jaredddddd Author

Level 1

2 points

Oct 25, 2009 10:52 AM in response to jaredddddd

And yes, I do have admin privileges but the Sharing and Permissions box is whited out too.

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Answer 5

thomas_r.

Level 7

32,031 points

Oct 25, 2009 11:06 AM in response to jaredddddd

"-bash: /Users/Work/Desktop/Times Reader.app: is a directory"

I'm not sure why it would say that... I can do the same thing to rename directories, even applications. (I just tested to make sure.)

One potential problem, though the error message would be odd for that, is the space in the name. If you typed a path with a space in it, it wouldn't work. Spaces have to be "escaped," like this:

/Users/Work/Desktop/Times\ Reader.app

The '\' means to treat the following space as part of the path rather than a break between two arguments.

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