Subscribe to How-To Geek

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)

image 

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.

image

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.

image

In Windows XP, you’ll also get a New Folder button.

image

You’ll have to scroll nearly to the bottom of the page to find the installer download.

Download bxNewFolder from Baxbex.com

The Geek is the founder of How-To Geek and a geek enthusiast. This article was written on 09/13/07 and tagged with: Desktop Customization, Windows Vista

Daily Email Updates

You can get our how-to articles in your inbox each day for free. Just enter your name and email below:


Name:
Email:
Similar Articles Featured Wiki Articles
Latest Software Reviews Quick Linux Tips
Geek Arcade Popular Forum Threads

Comments (17)

  1. charlesr

    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.

  2. slapout

    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.

  3. antony

    if you hold down ALT it still works on vista, well for me it does

  4. Z

    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.

  5. Mojo

    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

  6. Varun

    I would rather do an Alt-FWF then this. Anyways keep the discussions/hacks coming.

  7. Varun

    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..

  8. Debu

    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 ?

  9. Halmad

    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!

  10. P_ro

    ALT-F then

    no W, no F, just

    its really fast!

  11. P_ro

    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 : )

  12. JRH

    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???

  13. January

    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)

  14. jake

    For the desktop new folder option, make sure the desktop is selected then use the keyboard “rightclick” then press W then F.

  15. ilteriş mutlu

    it works on even windows 7 :) thank you

    iltermutlu

  16. Robmaister

    thanks, I will now bind this to a custom key on my keyboard.. :D

  17. hisham

    Configurable key bindings anyone? (=


Leave a Comment




Leave your friendly comment here.

If you have a computer help question, click here to leave it on the forums instead.

Note: Your comment may not show up immediately on the site.

Sponsored Links
Getting Started
About How-To Geek
What Is That Process?
svchost.exe
jusched.exe
dwm.exe
ctfmon.exe
wmpnetwk.exe
wmpnscfg.exe
rundll32.exe
wfcrun32.exe
Ipoint.exe
Itype.exe
Wfica32.exe
Mobsync.exe
Cmd.exe
Dpupdchk.exe Adobe_Updater.exe

Copyright © 2006-2009 HowToGeek.com. All Rights Reserved.