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'm having this issue on my work computer but only noticed it happen on network shared folders browsed via UNC path. If I browsed to the exact same folder by its mapped drive there was no issue with creating a new folder. Any folder stored locally on my device was OK.

I'm the same - this seems to temporarily resolve the issue if I set and then un-set this setting, but after some time it returns. Problem is, I want to be able to type into a folder to jump to items in it, so I can't just leave it on the "automatically search" setting, nor should I have to. This happens for me in non-OneDrive folders, and given its seeming link to the search function, my guess it's linked to the integration of Copilot into the OS.

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. This actually fixed it on my new computer, too. And continued to work after going back to the old setting. So I suspect it could be a case of the UI and actual OS settings not lining up, at least initially. Issue comes and goes for me. Not sure what triggers it. I'm suspicious of OneDrive.

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

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.
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Anonymous

2024-03-14T11:29:17+00:00

I'm having this issue on my work computer but only noticed it happen on network shared folders browsed via UNC path. If I browsed to the exact same folder by its mapped drive there was no issue with creating a new folder.

Any folder stored locally on my device was OK.
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Anonymous

2024-01-24T06:06:43+00:00

I'm the same - this seems to temporarily resolve the issue if I set and then un-set this setting, but after some time it returns. Problem is, I want to be able to type into a folder to jump to items in it, so I can't just leave it on the "automatically search" setting, nor should I have to.

This happens for me in non-OneDrive folders, and given its seeming link to the search function, my guess it's linked to the integration of Copilot into the OS.
Was this answer helpful?

3 people found this answer helpful.

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Anonymous

2024-01-24T02:07:23+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.

This actually fixed it on my new computer, too. And continued to work after going back to the old setting. So I suspect it could be a case of the UI and actual OS settings not lining up, at least initially.

Issue comes and goes for me. Not sure what triggers it. I'm suspicious of OneDrive.
Was this answer helpful?

10+ people found this answer helpful.

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