mv command on Linux (moving files) [Basic Guide]

The mv command in Linux moves or renames files and directories. It doesn’t change the attributes of the files or directories moved if the transfer is the same file system. If the destination where the files or directories are moved does not exist, the command renames the source, otherwise the data is written on top.

The most common options are:

• -f: Forces the files to be moved by suppressing confirmation messages to save them on top.
• -i: Ask the user before moving each file.

Examples:

Rename file1 to file2:

$ mv file1 file2

Move file1 to the /tmp directory:

$ mv file1 /tmp

You can also use the mv with the “..” to move something to the top directory:

$ mv file1.. 

Uirá Endy Ribeiro

Uirá Endy Ribeiro is a Software Developer and Cloud Computing Architect with a 23-year career. He has master's degrees in computer science and fifteen IT certifications and is the author of 11 books recognized in the IT world market. He is also Director at Universidade Salgado de Oliveira and Director of the Linux Professional Institute - LPI Director's Board.