What Is the Create New Folder Shortcut in Windows 10?

The Create New Folder shortcut in Windows 10 is Ctrl+Shift+N. In File Explorer, open the location where you want the folder, press Ctrl+Shift+N, type the folder name, and press Enter. The same shortcut also works when the Windows desktop has focus. Microsoft lists Ctrl+Shift+N as the File Explorer command to create a new folder.

How to use the new folder shortcut in Windows 10

1. Press Windows+E to open File Explorer. Microsoft documents Windows+E as the shortcut for File Explorer in its Windows keyboard tips.
2. Browse to the drive or folder where you want to create a subfolder.
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+N.
4. A folder named New folder appears with its name selected. Type the name you want and press Enter.

Do not confuse Ctrl+Shift+N with Ctrl+N. In File Explorer, Ctrl+N opens another File Explorer window. Microsoft lists both commands separately on its Windows keyboard shortcuts page.

Create a new folder on the desktop

You can use the same shortcut without opening File Explorer. Click an empty area of the Windows desktop so the desktop has keyboard focus, then press Ctrl+Shift+N. Windows creates a folder and immediately lets you rename it. This is useful when you are organizing temporary files, downloads, screenshots, or project items directly from the desktop.

Other ways to create a folder

Use the File Explorer menu or right-click menu

If you prefer the mouse, navigate to the target location and choose New > Folder. On the desktop, right-click an empty area and choose New > Folder. Microsoft also documents the New > Folder method in its Create a new folder support page.

Create a folder while saving a file

Many Windows applications let you create a folder from a Save As window. Microsoft’s guidance is to browse to the desired location and use the New Folder control before saving. Because file picker interfaces can vary by application, do not assume Ctrl+Shift+N will be handled the same way in every Save As dialog. If the shortcut does nothing there, use the visible New Folder button or command.

What to do if Ctrl+Shift+N does not work

The shortcut is simple, so failures are usually caused by focus, permissions, or keyboard input rather than a missing Windows setting.

• Make sure File Explorer or the desktop is active. The shortcut is not universal across every application. In a browser or another program, the same keys may trigger a different command.
• Try a writable location. If you are in a protected system folder, network location, or another location where your account cannot create items, Windows may block the folder operation.
• Test the keys separately. A stuck Ctrl or Shift key, a keyboard remapping utility, or a hardware problem can stop the combination from registering correctly.
• Use New > Folder as a fallback. If the menu method works but the shortcut does not, the issue is more likely related to keyboard input or software remapping than File Explorer itself.
• Restart File Explorer or Windows if the shell is unresponsive. A temporary Explorer problem can affect desktop and folder commands.

Useful File Explorer shortcuts to remember

A note about Windows 10 support

Windows 10 reached the end of free Microsoft support on October 14, 2025. PCs running it can still use File Explorer and the Ctrl+Shift+N shortcut, but Microsoft no longer provides the normal free security updates or technical support for standard Windows 10 installations. Microsoft’s current File Explorer support page recommends moving to Windows 11 when possible.

Bottom line

For Windows 10, remember Ctrl+Shift+N: it is the fastest built-in way to create a folder in File Explorer and on the desktop. After pressing it, type the folder name and press Enter. If it does not respond, first check which window has focus, then try the New > Folder command to separate a keyboard problem from a File Explorer problem.