In Windows 11 File Explorer, when I create a new folder instead of moving the typing focus to the folder's name it jumps to the address bar. I.e.: I click the "new folder" button (or right-click -> new folder) It creates a new folder called "New Folder" The cursor moves to the Windows 11 address bar. This sets the new folder's name to "New Folder" and if I type anything it types it into the address bar I have to click on the "New Folder" folder and go through the standard folder rename process (e.g. press F2 or right-click -> rename). How do I stop this? I expect that when I create a new folder I can type it's name directly. Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 23H2 Installed on ‎2023-‎09-‎06 OS build 22631.2861 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22681.1000.0

After a bit of experimenting, I see that this is just a focus problem in the Windows 11 Explorer. The issue happens 100% of the time if your last click was in the address bar (e.g. you just typed in a path) and then select anything from the "New" menu at the upper left. Microsoft needs to fix this so that the focus is first set to the main window before executing any of those "New" items. The workaround is to right-click and select your "New" item.

I have the same problem. It is infuriating. The suggested Folder Options setting does not fix the issue. Edition Windows 11 Pro Version 22H2 Installed on ‎11/‎4/‎2022 OS build 22621.2861 Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22681.1000.0

You have to select the upper of the 2 options shown in the screenshot, not the one that is selected in the screenshot. It worked for med. Like this (in french). I dont know why Microsoft change this behavior in windows because it was fine before... 🙄

I have the same issue: I create a new folder and Windows makes the folder and then highlights the location in the address bar. My PC was set to "Select the typed item in the view" for "When typing into list view". I switched to "Automatically type into the Seach Box" and the problem was fixed. However, I immediately switched back to "Select the typed item in the view" and it continues to work, so may not be the issue.

Thank-you for replying. Yes, I could pretend the world still uses MS-DOS and use those old commands I suppose ;) I could also write a PowerShell or script and modify it and paste it in and accomplish the same thing. Or a Python script. But I would like to use the GUI shell since it's worked the same way for decades, and it would still be faster than any command-line alternative to simply use the (bugged) process I'm facing in File Explorer. And thanks for that screenshot but that option jumps the focus to the Search Bar, not the Address Bar, and besides that mine is already set as shown. Thanks for trying! Unfortunately not a solution that works for me. I did try using the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and set "Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box" to "Enabled" and haven't had the issue since, but since it's sporadic I'll have to wait longer to see if it returns. My guess is that this won't fix the issue as it's related to a different function, but maybe I'll get lucky.

Windows 11 File Explorer - focus jumps to address bar when creating new folder

Anonymous

In Windows 11 File Explorer, when I create a new folder instead of moving the typing focus to the folder's name it jumps to the address bar. I.e.:

I click the "new folder" button (or right-click -> new folder)
It creates a new folder called "New Folder"
The cursor moves to the Windows 11 address bar. This sets the new folder's name to "New Folder" and if I type anything it types it into the address bar
I have to click on the "New Folder" folder and go through the standard folder rename process (e.g. press F2 or right-click -> rename).

How do I stop this? I expect that when I create a new folder I can type it's name directly.

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 23H2

Installed on ‎2023-‎09-‎06

OS build 22631.2861

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22681.1000.0

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

71 answers

Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-03-14T20:10:10+00:00

After a bit of experimenting, I see that this is just a focus problem in the Windows 11 Explorer.

The issue happens 100% of the time if your last click was in the address bar (e.g. you just typed in a path) and then select anything from the "New" menu at the upper left.

Microsoft needs to fix this so that the focus is first set to the main window before executing any of those "New" items.

The workaround is to right-click and select your "New" item.
Was this answer helpful?

40+ people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2023-12-20T18:53:50+00:00

I have the same problem. It is infuriating. The suggested Folder Options setting does not fix the issue.

Edition Windows 11 Pro

Version 22H2

Installed on ‎11/‎4/‎2022

OS build 22621.2861

Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 1000.22681.1000.0
Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2024-01-13T18:45:19+00:00

You have to select the upper of the 2 options shown in the screenshot, not the one that is selected in the screenshot. It worked for med. Like this (in french).

I dont know why Microsoft change this behavior in windows because it was fine before... 🙄
Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2024-01-16T19:38:37+00:00

I have the same issue: I create a new folder and Windows makes the folder and then highlights the location in the address bar. My PC was set to "Select the typed item in the view" for "When typing into list view". I switched to "Automatically type into the Seach Box" and the problem was fixed. However, I immediately switched back to "Select the typed item in the view" and it continues to work, so may not be the issue.
Was this answer helpful?

30+ people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2023-12-15T00:43:00+00:00

Thank-you for replying. Yes, I could pretend the world still uses MS-DOS and use those old commands I suppose ;) I could also write a PowerShell or script and modify it and paste it in and accomplish the same thing. Or a Python script.

But I would like to use the GUI shell since it's worked the same way for decades, and it would still be faster than any command-line alternative to simply use the (bugged) process I'm facing in File Explorer.

And thanks for that screenshot but that option jumps the focus to the Search Bar, not the Address Bar, and besides that mine is already set as shown.

Thanks for trying! Unfortunately not a solution that works for me.

I did try using the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) and set "Turn off display of recent search entries in the File Explorer search box" to "Enabled" and haven't had the issue since, but since it's sporadic I'll have to wait longer to see if it returns. My guess is that this won't fix the issue as it's related to a different function, but maybe I'll get lucky.
Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.

0 comments No comments