5 Ways to Fix Can’t Create a New Folder on Windows 11

Quick Fixes

• Reset the File Explorer app from the three-dot menu > Options > Restore Defaults > retry creating a new folder.
• Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc shortcut to open the Task Manager app > right-click Windows Explorer > select Restart. Open File Explorer and retry creating a new folder.

Basic Fixes

• Run a Windows security scan: Malicious files may prevent you from creating a new folder. Head to Windows Security > Virus & threat protection, and run a Full scan.
• Perform a clean boot: Third-party software may prevent creating a new folder on Windows 11. Perform a clean boot and retry creating a new folder.
• Update Windows 11: Press the Windows + I shortcut to open Settings, select Windows Update from the left sidebar, and install available updates.

Fix 1: Use Task Manager to Restart the File Explorer App

You may fail to create a new folder on Windows 11 if there are issues with the File Explorer app. Restarting it from the Task Manager app should fix it.

Step 1: Press the Windows + X shortcut to open the Power User Menu and select Task Manager.

Step 2: Select the Processes tab from the left sidebar > right-click Windows Explorer > select Restart.

Fix 2: Create New Folders With Command Prompt

If restarting the File Explorer app doesn’t solve the issue, you can use the Command Prompt app to create a folder manually.

Step 1: Press the Windows key, search Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

Step 2: Open the root directory using cd / , type mkdir followed by your desired folder name, and press Enter.

For instance, ‘mkdir testing’ will create a folder named ‘testing’ in the root directory.

Step 3: Once you’ve created the folder using CMD, navigate to it using the File Explorer app.

Fix 3: Tweak the Windows Registry

Another nifty way to fix the folder creation issue on Windows 11 is to tweak the Windows Registry files. Before you begin, take a registry backup using File > Export in the Registry Editor app.

Step 1: Press the Windows key > search Registry Editor > click on Run as administrator.

Step 2: Approve the UAC prompt > copy-paste the following address in the navigation bar > hit Enter.

Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers

Step 3: Right-click the blank space on the right and select New > Key.

Step 4: Type New as the key title > double-click (Default) > paste the following Value data > click OK.

{D969A300-E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719}

Step 5: Close the Registry Editor > restart File Explorer (check the Fix 1 above), and retry creating a new folder.

Fix 4: Restore File Explorer to Default Settings

A wrong tweak in File Explorer settings might prevent you from creating a new folder. Restore the File Explorer app to its default settings and retry creating a new folder.

Step 1: Open the File Explorer app (press the Windows + E shortcut) > click on the three-dot menu at the top > select Options.

Step 2: Select Restore Defaults > click Apply to save changes.

Fix 5: Run the File and Folder Troubleshooter

Lastly, if nothing works, launch the File and Folder troubleshooter on Windows 11 to restore normal functioning.

Step 1: Download the File and Folder Troubleshooter from the Microsoft website.

Step 2: Open the downloaded troubleshooter > click Next > follow the on-screen instructions to resolve the ‘can’t create a new folder’ error.