How to Make A New Folder on Your Windows, Mac, & Linux Computer

PDF download Download Article
A step-by-step guide to creating new folders on your computer
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to create a new folder on your computer? Folders are a simple, elegant way to organize your files, and you can create folders anywhere on your computer. This wikiHow guide will show you the fastest and easiest ways to make a new folder on a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer.

Creating a New Folder: Quick Steps

  • Go to a location in File Explorer (Windows), Finder (macOS), or your file manager (Linux). You can also stay on the desktop to make a new folder there.
  • Press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + N (Mac) to make a new folder. On Linux, right-click and choose New Folder .
  • On Linux, you can also make a new folder by using the "mkdir" command.
Section 1 of 4:

Create a Folder in Windows

PDF download Download Article
  1. For example, if you want to make a new folder on your desktop, go to your desktop and click any blank spot.
    • If you want to create a folder inside of another folder (a subfolder), press Windows key + E to open File Explorer , then click any folder to open it.
  2. [1] Pressing Ctrl + Shift + N together will create a new folder at the current location. The new folder has the generic name "New Folder," but you can change the name in a moment.
    • Another way to create a new folder is to right-click a blank area, select New , and then Folder .
    • If you're creating a new folder in File Explorer, there's another easy way to make a new folder: [2]
      • Windows 10: Click the New folder icon at the top of File Explorer.
      • Windows 11: Click + New at the top-left corner of the window, then choose Folder .
    Advertisement
  3. The new folder's name cannot contain any special punctuation or other characters. [3]
    • You now have a new folder in Windows. You can drag files into it or save files directly to the folder from any app.
    4. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Create a Folder on a Mac

PDF download Download Article
  1. For example, to make a folder on your Mac's desktop, just go to the desktop and click a blank spot.
    • If you want to create a folder inside of another folder (a subfolder), you can do so in Finder. Just click the blue face icon on the Dock, then go to the place where you want to make a new folder (such as Documents ).
  2. Pressing Command + Shift + N at the same time creates a new folder with the name in edit mode. [4]
    • If you don't want to use a keyboard shortcut , you can also create a new folder by clicking the File menu and selecting New Folder .
    • You can also right-click or double-click with the trackpad and click on Create New Folder .
  3. You now have a new folder on your Mac. [5]
    • You cannot use the ":" or "?" characters when naming a folder on a Mac.
    • Drag files into the folder, or save files directly to the folder in any app.
    4. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Create a Folder in Linux (File Manager)

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Open the File Manager. Depending on the Linux distro you're using, the File Manager may be called Nautilus. It's a graphical user interface that allows you to access the directories on your computer.
  2. 2
    Go to the desired location. If you want to make a new folder in your Documents directory, for example, you should click on the Documents directory in the sidebar.
  3. 3
    Right-click in an empty spot in the directory. This will pull up a context menu that allows you to complete various tasks in this folder.
  4. 4
    Choose New Folder . This will create a new, unnamed folder in the directory. Give the folder a name and press ↵ Enter to finalize the folder creation. [6]
    5. Advertisement
Section 4 of 4:

Create a Folder in Linux (Command Line)

PDF download Download Article
  1. 1
    Open the Terminal. The Terminal is the command line on your Linux machine. To easily open Terminal, press Ctrl + Alt + T . You can also search for it in the application menu.
  2. 2
    Navigate to the directory in which you want to add a new folder. To do this, you can use a cd [path] command, where [path] is replaced with the path to the directory you want to open.
    • For example, if you want to make a new folder in the Documents directory, you'd send the command cd ~/Documents .
  3. 3
    Create the folder. To make a folder, you'll use the mkdir [foldername] command, where [foldername] is replaced with your desired folder name.
    • For example, if you want to make a folder named "MyFiles," you'd send the command mkdir MyFiles .
  4. 4
    Verify the folder was created. After sending the mkdir command, send ls to ensure the folder was created. The ls command will list all of the items in the current directory. If you see your folder name on the list, the folder was successfully created.
    5. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How can I type in a new folder once I have created one?
    Community Answer
    Right-click the folder, then search 'rename,' then click that, then type what you want and press 'enter.'
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 17 Helpful 43
  • Question
    How do you transfer a document into a new folder?
    Community Answer
    Click and drag the document onto the folder's icon, then release the mouse button. If the folder is open, click and drag the document into the folder's window and then release the mouse button.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 30
  • Question
    How do I permanently delete a folder on the desktop on Windows 7?
    Community Answer
    You can move it to the recycle bin then, empty the recycle bin by right clicking and then clicking empty recycle bin. In some cases it will allow you to delete it permanently right off the bat just look for the delete option.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 19
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • To rename a folder on your Mac, click the folder once to select it, and then press Return . Type a new name for the folder and press Return again to save. [7]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • To rename a folder on Windows, right-click the folder and select Rename (Windows 10) or Show more options > Rename (Windows 11). Type a new name for the folder and press Enter to save.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • After completing this guide, see our article on protecting folders with passwords .
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Organize Your Computer
      How to
      Create a Flawless Filing System on Your Computer
      3 Easy Ways to Create a New Folder on a Windows PC
      How to
      Create Folders in Mac
      How to
      Create a Computer File
      How to
      Make a Downloads Folder & Set It as Your Download Location
      How to
      Create and Delete Files and Directories from Windows Command Prompt
      Easily Create a New File in Windows: User-Friendly Instructions
      How to
      Zip a Folder
      Quickly Create Folders on Android to Organize Your Apps & Files
      How to
      Map a Network Drive
      How to
      Copy Documents to a USB Flash Drive from Your Computer
      How to
      Make Hidden Folders and Files on Your Computer
      How to
      Use Keyboard Shortcuts Like a Pro: The Complete Guide
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/find-and-open-file-explorer-ef370130-1cca-9dc5-e0df-2f7416fe1cb1
      2. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-new-folder-cbbfb6f5-59dd-4e5d-95f6-a12577952e17
      3. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/create-a-new-folder-cbbfb6f5-59dd-4e5d-95f6-a12577952e17
      4. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/organize-files-with-folders-mh26885/mac
      5. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/organize-files-with-folders-mh26885/mac
      6. ↑ https://gcore.com/learning/how-to-create-a-folder-in-ubuntu
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/rename-files-folders-and-disks-on-mac-mchlp1144/14.0/mac/14.0

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 842,068 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Aug 26, 2016

        "Creating folder is helping me."
      Share your story

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement