Create New Folder in Explorer – why not easier?

Since I started working with the Windows Explorer shell in Windows 95, I’ve often wondered why there isn’t a “New Folder” toolbar button.

Today, I was organizing some files and dragging-and-dropping them to other folders and occasionally, in the middle of a drag operation, realized that I needed to create the destination folder first.

The way sub-folders are created is currently a click, right-click, hover, and click process.  Click once to put focus into the file area of the folder you want to be the container for the new folder.  Right-click for the Properties menu, hover over New and then click Folder.  Then type the name of the new folder.

The shell-provided file Save As common dialog has a new folder button on its limited toolbar.  So why isn’t there one for Windows Explorer?  Actually, I know the reason for that, at least what the usability people would say – that’s it would contribute to UI bloat.  Nevertheless even things like the Full Screen option have a button and its functionality is even easier to get to; press F11.

Ideally, the context menu would have a new folder item as well.  That way can scroll the folder tree to the destination folder, right click on it, choose New Folder and type in the new name.  You wouldn’t have to navigate back to the source folder and the original method would stay valid.

I’m sure someone has written a shell extension to do this already.  Does anyone have a pointer to an existing package?

12 Comments

  • I just hate that directory tree where you cant create a folder. Another thing that frustrates me: A browse button but no text box to enter a path. And when the browse folder comes out, it doesn't even remember the last one accessed.

  • Good (old) question!

    All the Explorer replacements have one build in.



    Why are you NOT using Total Commander??

    You better have a GOOD reason. ;-)



  • You see, I can handle remember to create the destination folder first, thats not that big of a deal for me...



    The biggest irk i have is when copying/moving a file and there is something wrong with a single file in a large collection of files, why cant it simply skip that single instance, or roll it all back.



    Lets say you have a folder, which contains many subfolders, and you want to

    MOVE *.* /s



    Now lets say, you have one of those files within that heirarchy locked (say its an MP3 locked in Winamp/WMP). The process will move all the files and then break on the one locked file -cause a partial move, and a real pain in the ass to synch your content properly. We should be able to choose to ignore and continue or simply roll it all back.





    Oh, and while im at it, other issues i have...of course memory consumption; extensibility (the whole quick launch toolbars suck bad) -really take a good look at geoshell and its plugins (better make those plugins simple and let us use .NET!); native support for multiple desktops;ability to simply not have a "desktop" full of icons;etc...



    Give us the power to extend the desktop and we will do it, but dont lock is into MSFT only products (WMP vs Winamp, etc.)!



  • The Windows XP folder sidebar has a "Make a New Folder" link

  • Jim C: I'll check out Total Commander. I haven't heard of it before. I'm not interested in large extensions that change functionality. I like small focused extensions. Thanks for the pointer and I will check it out.



    Chris: I think you are referring to the folder tasks area. However that is not shown whenever an Explorer bar is shown or if "folder tasks" are turned off (which is the default on Windows Server). In this scenerio, I was doing file tasks with the Folder Explorer Bar showing and the folder tasks hidden.



    I like the idea of folder tasks, but the items listed should always be on the menus and toolbars, in addition to the folder tasks area. In my opinion, the intergration of folder tasks with the overall shell is poor. For example, there is a "Publish this folder [file] to the web" item, but I cannot find any other means to invoke the Web Publishing Wizard otherwise - it should be on the context menu (and File menu) just like the Photo Printing Wizard that is available on image files.

  • It changed my life - for the better!



    email me at jim at cheseborough dot com



    have fun

  • This extension doesn't add a New Folder" button but it does add the option to the Folder context menu:

    "By clicking the right mouse button at the desired folder and choosing New Folder you get an new folder with a name of your choice!"

  • if you want a simple way to create a new folder:
    Alt + F +W +F


    Using the Keyboard Accelerator Keys

    You can use the keyboard accelerator keys: Alt+F to bring up the file menu, and then for the New menu, and then 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.

    found this on:
    http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/hotkey-for-creating-new-folder-in-windows-explorer/

  • I Will try to explain why it justify the creation of this command.

    In first, for someone that is organizing their files, it need to click tree times to create a folder. If it has a command to to shorkut the command "create folder" (like F12 command proposed by "BAxBEx´s NewFolder Button"), but without a new window or other thing to click, only to edit the folder name in the explorer window, it will be very usefull for programmers or other people that organize their files, trust me!

    second, for peoples that still uses windows XP on desktops with processors 1.2GHZ or less, it's necessary to disable many features of windows XP to increase productivity, including the left side bar. I found that the left side bar has this command in one button, but this features increases program process and ocupies folder spaces, then I Don't use this and I know many peoples that don't use this too just because this. Then, if this button become available, this problem will be solved.

  • hedhe - how be uar idiot for not speaking English!?

    somebody said - gave perfect reply, added to my right click now AND small donation to programmer :o)

  • Lol what the hell do you guys expect? Just look at the webview panel (common task pane) in XP Explorer, there's already "Make a New Folder" button.

  • could someone shake a MS programmer until his brains fall out onto the floor please. In other words why NOT make the button for us?

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