Removing tags from color folder

sburech wrote:

Thanks so much for your response. I read the link and I can't find out how to remove the tags, only how to change colors, add a symbol or an emoji. Maybe I am missing something. I just want to have no tags on my colored folder. Thanks again for your help.

As Barney-15E states, you cannot. The folder is colored because of the tag. There is no other way to set a folder to a specific color (though you can change the color of all folders in System Settings > Appearance).

Note that in Finder settings, you can turn off the setting where folders are given the tag color.

But...the only way to choose a specific folder color is with a tag. That's shown in the Customize Folder option, where you can see it's linked to the set of tags. The tags shown below are the 'Favorite Tags' in the Finder settings screenshot above, and if you remove all of the Favorite Tags, then the option to Customize Folder also disappears.

You're stuck with tags if you want a folder to be a specific color, and only Apple can change that. To have Apple consider your feedback, submit it here:

Feedback - macOS - Apple

If you want all your folders to be purple, as stated above that's in System Settings > Appearance.

It involved Get Info on a folder, selecting the folder icon, copying it and pasting it into Photoshop (could be done with one of many image editors), adjusting the hue as desired (the OP likes purple, apparently), then copying and pasting back over the Get Info icon. So 'quite a few steps' yes, but it took about 15 seconds perform them all (including typing the new, descriptive folder name).

For what it's worth, you can set the color for all folders in System Settings > Appearance. You can't customize individual folders without a Tag.

sburech wrote:

When I select a color for my folders, which are all purple now, it produces a tag in the same color. When I remove the tag my folder reverts back to a purple color.

That's how it works.

I want to remove the tag and keep the folder's new color.

You can't.

Customize the look of folders and files on Mac - Apple Support

Just to add, it is actually possible to create your own color folder icons but it's not something you can do with a setting. If you really, REALLY, want to know how, post back. It involves quite a few steps.

Indeed, and one click with a selection tool before adjusting the hue preserved the white 'paper' accent and added a whole extra two seconds to the process, bringing it to a very less non-onerous 17 seconds. I stand corrected.

Interesting, I think I knew that at some point but had forgotten. In that case, would you mind sharing the correct method? My method (which I have never actually used, I'm fine with the default folder colors) is manifestly insufficient. It is very clearly more complicated than I know, and I stand properly corrected now.

You're welcome, and thanks for not asking. 😎

I know what the steps are thanks.

I’m sure you do, but your implication was that the process was onerous…when in fact, it is quite simple.

Depends on whether you want to do it correctly or use your method.

FWIW, the "accent" is to show whether the folder contains any items or not. Your method shows either an empty folder or a folder with items. It won't switch. But obviously you know best.