How to Create New Folders Using Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows 10

And now something for all of you who like to use keyboard shortcuts more than moving and clicking the mouse. In this short article, we’re going to show you how to easily create a new folder with just a few keyboard buttons.

Shortcut keys to create new folders in Windows 10

You can create a new folder on Desktop by right-clicking on it > New > Folder, but there’s even a quicker way to create a new folder in Windows. Just press Ctrl + Shift + N and the new folder will automatically be created on your Desktop, ready to be renamed or to store some of your important files.

This shortcut doesn’t work just on Desktop, because you can create a new folder in the File Explorer, as well. The method is the same, just open the File Explorer or location where you want to create a new folder, press Ctrl, Shift and N at the same time and the new folder will be created in seconds.

How to create a new folder in File Explorer

Here’s another useful tip: if you want to create a folder in the File Explorer, and then you also want to create it on your desktop, just press Windows key + D, and all folders or programs will be minimized, leaving you just with Desktop open. Then just do as we showed you in this article, and you’re good to go.

This shortcut also works in Windows 8 and Windows 7, as Microsoft decided not to change it in Windows 10, but it won’t work in Windows XP. If you want to create a new folder on Desktop in Windows XP, using just keyboard shortcuts, you’ll have to try a different combination of keys. To create a new folder in Windows XP, you have to hold Alt + F keys first, and then release them and quckly press W key, followed by F.

That would be all, now you know how to create a new folder in Windows, using just a couple of keys of your keyboard.

Using keyboard shortcuts is very useful as you can get things done more quickly. Of course, you need to know what key combinations to use in order to get the result you want. In case you’re not very familiar with the most useful keyboard shortcuts supported on Windows 10, here’s a guide that you can use to learn more about Windows shortcuts.

Let’s suppose that you no longer want to use keyboard shortcuts on your computer. Well, there are a few methods that you can use to disable these shortcuts. For example, you can turn off hotkeys, use a dedicated script for your Registry or you can disable absolutely all the keyboard shortcuts on your machine using the Windows Registry. For detailed instructions on the steps to follow, you can use this guide.

Unfortunately, you keyboard may break sometimes and you won’t be able to use it. Luckily, we already tacked this issue and we compiled a few lists of solutions to help you out:

If the solutions above didn’t work, and you still can’t use your keyboard, maybe it’s time to get a new one. If you don’t know what are the best keyboards to buy for your Windows 10 computer, you can check out these lists:

There you go, we hope this guide offered you all the information that you needed.

How to Create a New Folder in Windows 10

Do your files and documents need better organization? Group related files into distinct folders on your laptop or desktop and you’ll always easily find what you need. You can also change the icon size to make it more visually pleasing. Here are a few ways to quickly create a new folder in Windows 10, and after you master this, learn how to password protect a folder in Windows 10.

Method 1: Create a New Folder with a Keyboard Shortcut

The fastest way to create a new folder in Windows is with the CTRL+Shift+N shortcut.

1. Navigate to the location where you want to create the folder. You can create a new folder at any location on your hard drive or within another folder (creating a subfolder) in File Explorer. You can also create a new folder on your desktop with this method.

2. Hold down the Ctrl, Shift, and N keys at the same time. Windows will immediately create the new folder with the not-very-imaginative suggested folder name of «New folder.»

3. Enter your desired folder name. It takes just seconds to create a new folder this way, but be sure to immediately begin typing your folder name when the folder first appears, because if you click on the folder or click away from File Explorer, the folder name will be «New folder» and you’ll have to rename it.

Method 2: Create a New Folder by Right-Clicking

If you don’t remember the keyboard shortcut or you prefer using the mouse:

1. Navigate to the location where you want to create the folder.

2. Right-click on a blank space in the folder location. Take care with this: If you right-click on an existing item in the folder, you’ll get the wrong menu.

3. Select New then Folder from the contextual menu. Windows will create the new folder at your current location.

4. Enter your desired folder name to replace «New folder» and hit Enter.

You can create folders on the Desktop using this method too. Right-click on a blank space on the Desktop, then go to New > Folder.

Method 3: Create a New Folder from the Ribbon Menu

Another simple way to create a new folder is to use the New folder button in the File Explorer menu.

Just navigate to the place you want the folder and click or tap «New folder» in the Home tab

In addition to the methods above, you can create a new folder in Windows 10 by using the Command Prompt (navigate to the location you want your folder in and type mkdir foldername, replacing «foldername» with your folder name). These three methods, however, are the simplest and quickest ways to create a new folder, so you can get right to organizing your files.

The Easiest Way to Create New Folders in Windows Using Shortcuts

Those of us who come from the days of typewriters rather than keyboards know all about shortcut keys. This was/is a method of speeding up your work routine and is still very prevalent today. For those of you who are not shortcut key users, don’t worry. There is always another way to do everything in Windows.

Leave it to Microsoft to change some of the shortcut keys from one operating system to another. This must be one of the ways that they are always «improving» and therefore selling a new, upgraded version of their software. But let’s get back on task.

Shortcut Key Notes

• Whenever shortcut keys are listed, with a plus sign ( + ) in the string, such as Ctrl+C, this indicates that the Ctrl key is held while the letter C is pressed.
• When a shortcut key is listed with commas separating the string, such as Alt+F, W, F, the Alt key is held while the letter F is pressed, but then both these keys are released while the W and F keys are pressed one after the other.
• You can use either upper or lower case letters in these shortcut key combinations. Uppercase letters are just shown in this article for clarity.

Windows XP Shortcut Keys to Create a New Folder

The keyboard shortcut key combination is this: Alt+F, W, F. Translated that means:

• Hold down the Alt key while pressing the letter F.
• Let go of both the Alt key and letter F and then press the letter W followed by the letter F in quick succession.

Keyboard and Mouse Combination

The mouse and keyboard shortcut key combination is: Right-click, W, F. Translated that means:

• Right-click in the window and then press the letter W followed by the letter F in quick succession.

Shortcut Keys to Create a New Folder for Windows 7, 8, and 10

This shortcut key combination is more obvious and much easier to remember:
Ctrl+Shift+N

How do I create a new folder using a keyboard shortcut?

Does anyone know the shortcut key to create a new folder in Windows Explorer and in Finder?

Also, does anyone know the shortcut key to create a new folder on the desktop?

(I’m using windows vista and mac os x)

3 Answers 3

Windows

Ctrl + Shift + N : Create a new folder in Windows Explorer.

Alternatively, use ALT + F + W + F on older Windows versions and MENU + W + F on the desktop.

Mac OS X

Create a New Folder shortcut using the System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Shortcuts panel. The system won’t let you choose Cmd — N , but it will let you choose Cmd — Shift — N . Use that.

Desktop

The shortcut key should work there too.

On Windows 10
Windows 10 offers an alternative way that I just found. You can configure it yourself. It was standard setting on my system so most people might already have it working this way.
Then the shortcut is Alt + 2 (note not F2 )

This refers to the index of the items at the top bar of the windows explorer:

It can be configured by clicking the arrow next to it to show the item on top (screen shot from german system):

I have created an autohotkey script to remap Ctrl+Shift+n to Capslock+F12. You can remap it to any other key you want.

The key below is context-sensitive, meaning it will only work in Windows Explorer AND Windows Explorer file dialogs (open/save as).

To understand the syntax above, see below example,

Akfash’s Weblog

What is it that I enjoy?

Shortcut key to create a New Folder

Shortcut keys in Windows environment or any software environment makes our life really easy. For an example to perfom a Copy operation you press Ctrl+C and to pate you press a Ctrl+V on your keyboard.

Have you ever wondered on what will be the shortcut key to create a New Folder in Windows?

The answer for this depends on where you want to create the Folder. Because you wont be able to use this partcular shortcut key on the desktop but you can use it anywhere in Windows Explorer or inside any of the existing folders.

Okay, the shortcut key is Alt+F+W+F

Alt+F is for the File Menu and “W” is for New under the file menu and “F” is for New Folder.

Share this:

Like this:

Related

70 thoughts on “ Shortcut key to create a New Folder ”

I got the results very good and thanks.

ctrl+shift+n it easy very easy yar

This is help full and easy…

really easy broooooo ……………………..thks

Thank VVVV Good

For Windows XP and Vista there exists a tiny and straight forward utility mdAxel to create new folders with any shortcut you like. My installer dates back to 2004 BUT it really works..Use Google for mdAxel
or the original site for, bigLasagne. anyway, check the viruses first and enjoy. im using the Win 7 shortcut Ctrl Shift N. (Only the reserved shortcuts wont work)

its not working & u say that very good result culd please suggest me any other way to create a new folder. wuld be great ful for me.
Fasahat Malik

and i learned something new again today! thx bro 😉

Thanks but i have a problem that when i create a New Folder on Desktop than what is the Short Cut key is used only on Keyboard

Hi Sunil,
by default you cant create a folder by using a shortcut key on your desktop. but the short cut key i have mentioned in the article will help you to create inside explorer.
If you want to create a New Folder using a shortcut key on your desktop, what you can d is write a small BATCH file.

you can use the following,

cd:\
C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop
Mkdir “New Folder”

save this file as a .BAT file and create ashortcut of the file and assign a shortcut key. So when you press the shortct key the folder will be created on your desktop.

press ‘right arrow’+F+W..
NB:use the right arrow in between alt and ctrl key

this is not valid

wow, i tried the bat file thing and it makes TWO folders! one named foldero with an umlat o and onew with a circonflex over the o.

Hi Scott,
can you share the code of your BAT file? so we can analyze 🙂

plz bro help me i want to create a new folder on Desktop ..if u know plz tell me…..thanks ….

Hi Sahil Rizvi,
If you are using Windows 7, just press Ctrl+Shift+N to create a New Folder on your desktop. If any other Windows editions before Windows 7 please use the below script and save it as a .bat file and execute.

cd:\
C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop
Mkdir “New Folder”

make sure your desktop path is correct.

k thankq i got the result

how to create a client user in server through short cut

Your result give me much happiness you r so good.
thanks to you thanks

how can i create new folder with shortcut keys

please solve my question and give me answer………..

alt+f+w+f with key i can not create new folder

Hi Manzar Hussain, I assme you have tried creating a folder with this combination on your desktop, which will not work unfortunately. You can use the above mentioned combination in your windows explorer or inside any folder to create a folder.

But if you are using a Windows 7 then you can create a folder anywhere (including desktop) by pressing Ctrl+ Shift+ N

Hope the above info is sufficient and let us know on how it goes

THIS COMMAND IS NOT WORKING IN WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL .

Can you please upload the patch file here who have created already?

Hi Siva,
if you are using Windows 7, then press Ctrl+Shift+N

if you are using a previous version of Windows create a batch file as follows

@echo off
cd:\
C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop
Mkdir “New Folder”

save this file as a .BAT file and create ashortcut of the file and assign a shortcut key. So when you press the shortct key the folder will be created on your desktop.

I have copied the contents given below

@echo off
cd:\
C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop
Mkdir “New Folder”

in notepad and save this file as a .BAT file.
Here, when I press the shortcut key, two new folders will be created simultaneously.

Is my way is correct?
What is the error here? please reply.

Hi Siva,
Sorry, the issue is because New Folder is two words.

@echo off
cd:\
C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop
Mkdir NewFolder

The corected script is above:) and you may use it and save it as a .bat file.

Its a great way to create a new folder on system.
Thanks a lot for this & Also if u have any idea in your mind so please update,

Hi Akfash,
It is working good. During new folder creation using mouse, it automatically highlights the created new folder for rename it. But here it is not. Do you have any solution?

C:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop
Mkdir NewFolder

The corect script is above:) and you may use it and save it as a .bat file to create a new folder on desktop

Hi Siva,
Glad that its working good:)

for your second requirement, let me work on it and get back to you. 🙂

Do you have any shortcuts to move folder from one directory to another without using mouse?

If I have desktop icons such as My computer, Internet explorer, Recycle bin. If I want to open that, first I have to click the mouse in open space of desktop. Then only I can go to choose the above such things by press the key m,i,r respectively. So without using mouse, how can we go ahead?

Thanks but i have a problem that when i create a New Folder on Desktop than what is the Short Cut key is used only on Keyboard

O come on just press Ctrl + Shift + N for creating a new folder in windows 7 may be in xp too, I didn’t try.

he! come on just press i forget the name of key the key between right Alt and Ctrl + w+ f for creating a new folder
if any one can tell me the name of key plz tell me

all comments are helpfull.

Mansoor K M………your answer is very gud…….i lyk you……..

I tried to creae new folder on desktop in win xp, i dint get that plz guide me.

I saved that prgrm after i tried alt+f+w+f still i dint get.

thanks , it is really helpful for me..

how can i open my document with shortcut keys

what is a short cut key to create new folder on server 2008

Nice information…Create a folder=>ctrl+shift+n….Folder rename shortcut..F2 button…thanx

very nice thanks for information

Ctrl+.Shift+N u Create a new folder

I have read your this article and i have known many information from this site.For more information, you can visit this site..
http://www.datagifted.com/shortcut-keys-create-folder-windows-keyboard/

this key is not correct ctrl+shift+n is very good to make new folder

short cut key of short cut crate of foler alt+f+w+f

Best one I found (even better than Baxbex) is mdAxel 1.0 Beta. The name is deceiving. It is a small footprint, non-installing “New Folder” hotkey .exe app that you insert in your Program Files folder. In Program Files, I named the folder “New Folder Hotkey” and pasted this .exe app in it. Then I double-clicked on it and it started up and the icon appeared in my System Tray in the Task Bar. I right clicked on that System Tray icon and selected “Settings”. I chose to have it start up with Windows, and I chose my own hotkey combo. I could even provide a default “New Folder” entry. It’s free and works super well. Best one yet!

BaxBex is if you want to have a new folder icon in your Explorer toolbar, but the downside is if you are installing a new theme with the Uxepatcher and use YZ Toolbar (for example) then the Baxbex new folder icon cannot be modified to match your new icons. BUt if you are sticking with your XP default icons then that is a good mate to this hotkey app.

Thank u so much for sharing how to create shortcut and new folder…