Hotkey for Creating New Folder in Windows Explorer
Have you ever wondered if there is a hotkey to create a new folder in Windows Explorer? A conversation with MysticGeek last night prompted me to look into this, and so I’m posting the answer for everybody.
There’s actually a couple of solutions to this problem: You can use the built-in accelerator keys, or download and install a small freeware app called bxNewFolder to assign the hotkey.
Using the Keyboard Accelerator Keys
You can use the keyboard accelerator keys: Alt+F to bring up the file menu, and then <W> for the New menu, and then <F> for new folder. So your shortcut key sequence ends up being F+W+F with the Alt key held down. (Try it out)
I’ve found that this works pretty well once you get used to it, and it doesn’t require any additional software.
Install bxNewFolder
This freeware plugin uses F12 as the new folder hotkey, which unfortunately isn’t changeable. If you are using this in Windows XP, you’ll get the benefit of the new toolbar button that it adds, though. There’s no visible UI in Windows Vista, but it works perfectly.
To install this properly, you need to close all Windows Explorer windows and then choose Run as administrator from the right-click menu.
Once installed, it should immediately start working… just hit F12 to open the new folder dialog. If you hold down the Shift key and hit enter after typing the folder name it will immediately navigate into the folder, which I find very useful.
In Windows XP, you’ll also get a New Folder button.
You’ll have to scroll nearly to the bottom of the page to find the installer download.
Daily Email Updates
You can get our how-to articles in your inbox each day for free. Just enter your name and email below:
| Similar Articles | Featured Wiki Articles |
|
|
| Latest Software Reviews | Quick Linux Tips |
| Geek Arcade | Popular Forum Threads |
In Vista you have to tap Alt (rather than hold it) then hit F-W-F to create a new folder. If you hold Alt it doesn’t work.
You might also want to check out a Windows Explorer plugin called StExBar. It’s shareware that gives you another toolbar with several buttons. One is a New Folder button.
if you hold down ALT it still works on vista, well for me it does
You don’t have to hold down the alt key in XP either and, in fact, it’s easier to just tap it once before FWF.
Thanks slapout for the info, but StExBar IS NOT shareware, it’s open-source (and donationware if you want to support the author). Really great plugin for Windows Explorer
http://tools.tortoisesvn.net/StExBar
I would rather do an Alt-FWF then this. Anyways keep the discussions/hacks coming.
Oh By the way..
While reading the post, I pressed ALT- FWF on the firefox and know what it did!! Took firefox to offline mode.
Well doing it again brings me right on..
Alt+ FWF isn’t working when I want to create a New Folder on the Desktop. Is there any other procedure or any other shortcut to do this one ?
Debu, it’s preetie working on vista, Hold Down ALT, and follow the sequence F-W-F by pressing the key. Nice one Geek! you are the bomb!
ALT-F then
no W, no F, just
its really fast!
Crud, the enter enter disappeared. Here it is again…..
ALT-F then ENTER ENTER
no W, no F, just ENTER ENTER
its really fast!
Moderator: you delete the first message : )
When opening a new folder in Vista there seems to be a bug when creatinmg a new folder.that opens hundreds of new foldes and locks up the program. Is there an easy soloution to keep this from happening???
Please not that for non-English systems the key sequence will be different, e.g. on my German system it is ALT-d-n-o (datei-neu-ordner)
For the desktop new folder option, make sure the desktop is selected then use the keyboard “rightclick” then press W then F.
it works on even windows 7
thank you
iltermutlu
thanks, I will now bind this to a custom key on my keyboard..
Configurable key bindings anyone? (=