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

You have to navigate by typing a path in the address bar so that the focus is in the address bar. Then, I'm sure, you'll still see the issue.

From my laptop: I used Explorer to change the name of an existing folder I then used +New at the upper left of window and selected "Folder". A new folder was created with the name "New folder" active for editing. In the past, the focus would have shifted to the address bar, but I can now edit the folder name w/o any extra actions. As a second test, I first navigated to a different folder and repeated the process. The new folder was created and renamed w/o losing focus and w/o the address bar history appearing. So for my Win 11 installation, I am guessing that a recent update has resolved the issue.

My test procedure is correct. Try it on Windows 10 (or the old Windows 10 style Explorer available via the Control Panel). It always works correctly in that case. It always fails (i.e. causes the address bar to drop down) on Windows 11. Once the focus is in the main window (e.g. by tabbing there) it always works correctly. The issue is that Explorer no longer changes the focus to the main window when it should (and always did in Windows 10).

Then I tested by creating a new folder and no longer have the focus issue! Try first navigating to a different folder using the address bar (so that the focus is in the address bar) then create a new folder by selecting "Folder" from the upper left "New" menu. Does the focus change to the folder name or does the focus stay in the address bar, causing the address bar history to drop down? I am not sure you describe a correct test: should the test be done that way?: 1 you should be working in the main windows (on the right) on an existing folder (eg. renaming it), and then 2 you go directly to the button new on the left in the address bar and select "folder" When I do this it fails: the folder is created, but I cannot name it. The focus jumps back to the address bar, causing the address bar history to drop down.

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.

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71 answers

Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-06-16T18:11:40+00:00

You have to navigate by typing a path in the address bar so that the focus is in the address bar. Then, I'm sure, you'll still see the issue.
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Anonymous

2025-06-16T17:46:59+00:00
From my laptop:
- I used Explorer to change the name of an existing folder
- I then used +New at the upper left of window and selected "Folder".
- A new folder was created with the name "New folder" active for editing. In the past, the focus would have shifted to the address bar, but I can now edit the folder name w/o any extra actions.
As a second test, I first navigated to a different folder and repeated the process. The new folder was created and renamed w/o losing focus and w/o the address bar history appearing.

So for my Win 11 installation, I am guessing that a recent update has resolved the issue.
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Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-06-16T14:46:27+00:00

My test procedure is correct.

Try it on Windows 10 (or the old Windows 10 style Explorer available via the Control Panel). It always works correctly in that case. It always fails (i.e. causes the address bar to drop down) on Windows 11.

Once the focus is in the main window (e.g. by tabbing there) it always works correctly.

The issue is that Explorer no longer changes the focus to the main window when it should (and always did in Windows 10).
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Anonymous

2025-06-16T14:09:39+00:00

Then I tested by creating a new folder and no longer have the focus issue!

Try first navigating to a different folder using the address bar (so that the focus is in the address bar) then create a new folder by selecting "Folder" from the upper left "New" menu. Does the focus change to the folder name or does the focus stay in the address bar, causing the address bar history to drop down?

I am not sure you describe a correct test: should the test be done that way?:

1 you should be working in the main windows (on the right) on an existing folder (eg. renaming it), and then

2 you go directly to the button new on the left in the address bar and select "folder"

When I do this it fails: the folder is created, but I cannot name it. The focus jumps back to the address bar, causing the address bar history to drop down.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
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