The fastest way to make a new folder
On Windows, right-click in the empty space of any folder or your desktop, then click New and select Folder. A new folder appears with the name "New Folder" highlighted so you can type over it immediately. On Mac, use the keyboard shortcut Command + Shift + N while you have Finder open, or go to the menu bar and click File, then New Folder. On Chromebook, right-click in Google Drive and select New, then Folder.
The folder appears in the same location where you right-clicked or where you had the window open. You can rename it right away by typing, or leave it as "New Folder" and rename it later by right-clicking and choosing Rename.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users right-click in empty space and select New > Folder; Mac users press Command + Shift + N in Finder.
- The new folder appears in the location where you right-clicked or had your window open.
- You can type a new name immediately after the folder is created, or rename it later by right-clicking and selecting Rename.
- Folders help you organize files by topic, project, or date so you can find things faster.
- You can create folders inside other folders to build a structure that matches how you work.
Creating a folder on Windows
Open File Explorer and navigate to the location where you want the new folder. This could be your Documents folder, Desktop, Downloads, or any other folder you have open. Right-click in the empty white space inside the folder window — not on a file or folder that already exists.
A menu appears with several options. Click on New, and a submenu expands showing Folder as one choice. Click Folder. A new folder instantly appears with the default name "New Folder" highlighted in blue, which means the text is selected and ready to replace.
Type the name you want for your folder. You can use letters, numbers, spaces, and most punctuation marks. Avoid using these characters: / \ : * ? " < > | — Windows does not allow them in folder names. Press Enter when you are done typing, and the folder is created with your chosen name.
Creating a folder on Mac
Open Finder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock, or by pressing Command + Space to open Spotlight, typing "Finder", and pressing Enter. Navigate to the location where you want your new folder — your Documents, Desktop, Downloads, or any other folder.
Press Command + Shift + N on your keyboard. A new folder appears instantly with the default name "New Folder" highlighted. Type the name you want, using letters, numbers, spaces, and punctuation. Mac is more flexible than Windows about special characters, but avoid the forward slash / since it is used for file paths. Press Enter to confirm your folder name.
If you prefer using the menu instead of the keyboard shortcut, click File in the menu bar at the top of your screen while Finder is open, then click New Folder. The result is the same.
Creating a folder in Google Drive on Chromebook
Open Google Drive in your web browser by going to drive.google.com or clicking the Google Drive icon if you have it pinned. You are now looking at your Drive storage, which works like a folder system in the cloud. Navigate to the location where you want your new folder — you can create folders inside other folders just like on Windows or Mac.
Right-click in the empty space of your Drive window. A menu appears with several options. Click New, and a submenu shows Folder as one choice. Click Folder. A dialog box appears asking you to name your folder. Type the name you want and click Create. The folder now appears in your Drive.
Google Drive folders work the same way as folders on your computer, but they live in the cloud instead. This means you can reach them from any device as long as you are signed into your Google account. You can also share folders with other people by right-clicking the folder and selecting Share.
Organizing folders inside folders
Once you have created a folder, you can create more folders inside it. This is called a folder structure or hierarchy. For example, you might create a folder called "2024 Taxes" and then create subfolders inside it for "Medical", "Receipts", and "Deductions". This keeps related files grouped together and makes them easier to find later.
To create a folder inside an existing folder, open that folder by double-clicking it, then right-click in the empty space and create a new folder the same way you did before. You can nest folders as deep as you want — folders inside folders inside folders. However, most people find that three or four levels deep is enough; going too deep makes it hard to remember where things are.
Renaming a folder after you create it
If you did not type a name when the folder was first created, or if you want to change the name later, right-click on the folder and select Rename. The folder name becomes highlighted and editable. Type the new name and press Enter. On Mac, you can also click the folder once to select it, press Enter, and the name becomes editable.
You can rename a folder at any time, even if it already contains files. Renaming the folder does not affect the files inside it — they stay in the folder and keep their own names. This is useful if you realize your original folder name was not clear or if your project name changes.
Moving and deleting folders
After you create a folder, you can move it to a different location by dragging it to another folder, or by right-clicking it and selecting Cut, then navigating to the new location and right-clicking and selecting Paste. Moving a folder moves everything inside it as well.
To delete a folder, right-click it and select Delete or Move to Trash. On Windows, the folder goes to the Recycle Bin, where you can recover it if you change your mind. On Mac, it goes to the Trash. On Chromebook, it goes to the Trash in Google Drive. You can empty the Recycle Bin or Trash permanently later, but until you do, the folder can be recovered.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I create a folder with no name?
No. Every folder must have a name. If you try to create a folder without typing a name, the system will either keep the default "New Folder" name or prompt you to enter one before confirming the creation.
What characters are not allowed in folder names?
On Windows, avoid these: / \ : * ? " < > |. On Mac and Chromebook, most characters are allowed, but avoid the forward slash / on Mac. If you try to use a forbidden character, the system will show an error and ask you to choose a different name.
Can I create a folder on my desktop?
Yes. On Windows, right-click on your desktop (the empty area behind all your open windows) and select New > Folder. On Mac, right-click the desktop and select New Folder, or press Command + Shift + N. Folders on your desktop work the same way as folders in File Explorer or Finder.
What happens to files if I move a folder to a different location?
The files inside the folder move with it. The folder and all its contents go to the new location together. The files keep their names and do not get separated from the folder.
Can I undo creating a folder?
Yes. If you just created a folder and want to remove it, right-click it and select Delete or Move to Trash. As long as you have not emptied the Recycle Bin or Trash, you can recover it by opening the Recycle Bin or Trash and restoring the folder.