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

However it sill faced issues with the address bar suddenly dropping history / with focus between windows and the address bar, especially when I move from monitor 1 to monitor2. I will try to formulate a clearer description of the issue in the next days. Yup, it looks like Microsoft has more work to do. In my testing (on multiple computers), sometimes the address bar drop-down stays on screen after selecting a path from the list. Is that the issue you're seeing, or is it something different?

Yes, I just tested again after updating to build 26100.4351 and I no longer see the issue. Cool. It appears that Microsoft quietly fixed this issue. Hopefully everyone else sees the same improvement after updating. Thanks JeffWhiteAZ and HeyKeys! Note : While testing, my address bar drop-down menu sometimes stayed on the screen after selecting a folder from the drop down. When I get a chance, I'll test that on some more Windows 11 machines to see if it's something common or something that only happens on my test machine. I did update to build 26100.4351 today. Thanks for mentioning the build nr explicitly. The process of creating new folders now seems to work fine (when you are working in the main windows and then press new+folder in the address bar. However it sill faced issues with the address bar suddenly dropping history / with focus between windows and the address bar, especially when I move from monitor 1 to monitor2. I will try to formulate a clearer description of the issue in the next days.

Yes, I just tested again after updating to build 26100.4351 and I no longer see the issue. Cool. It appears that Microsoft quietly fixed this issue. Hopefully everyone else sees the same improvement after updating. Thanks JeffWhiteAZ and HeyKeys! Note : While testing, my address bar drop-down menu sometimes stayed on the screen after selecting a folder from the drop down. When I get a chance, I'll test that on some more Windows 11 machines to see if it's something common or something that only happens on my test machine.

I just tried typing in a path. Then created a new folder two ways: Using the +New. This worked fine. Focus remained with the new folder, so I could rename. Right clicking and selecting New > Folder. This also worked. So my Windows 11 PC seems to be working as intended. Hopefully, others will find that the issue disappears as Microsoft provides updates for other variants of Win 11. It does seem concerning that this issue is somehow complicated enough that a general update can't resolve the problem.

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. I do not have the same problem as you describe. When I do the steps above you describe (focus is already on the address bar) and then press new + folder, then the folder is created and I can edit it. Are you using any tool that has switched your Explorer to the "Ribbon UI", such as StartAllBack or Explorer Patcher? Thank you. No I do not.

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

2025-06-18T01:01:35+00:00

However it sill faced issues with the address bar suddenly dropping history / with focus between windows and the address bar, especially when I move from monitor 1 to monitor2. I will try to formulate a clearer description of the issue in the next days.

Yup, it looks like Microsoft has more work to do. In my testing (on multiple computers), sometimes the address bar drop-down stays on screen after selecting a path from the list. Is that the issue you're seeing, or is it something different?
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2025-06-17T20:46:21+00:00

Yes, I just tested again after updating to build 26100.4351 and I no longer see the issue. Cool. It appears that Microsoft quietly fixed this issue. Hopefully everyone else sees the same improvement after updating.

Thanks JeffWhiteAZ and HeyKeys!

Note: While testing, my address bar drop-down menu sometimes stayed on the screen after selecting a folder from the drop down. When I get a chance, I'll test that on some more Windows 11 machines to see if it's something common or something that only happens on my test machine.

I did update to build 26100.4351 today. Thanks for mentioning the build nr explicitly.

The process of creating new folders now seems to work fine (when you are working in the main windows and then press new+folder in the address bar.

However it sill faced issues with the address bar suddenly dropping history / with focus between windows and the address bar, especially when I move from monitor 1 to monitor2. I will try to formulate a clearer description of the issue in the next days.
Was this answer helpful?

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Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-06-17T03:46:12+00:00

Yes, I just tested again after updating to build 26100.4351 and I no longer see the issue. Cool. It appears that Microsoft quietly fixed this issue. Hopefully everyone else sees the same improvement after updating.

Thanks JeffWhiteAZ and HeyKeys!

Note: While testing, my address bar drop-down menu sometimes stayed on the screen after selecting a folder from the drop down. When I get a chance, I'll test that on some more Windows 11 machines to see if it's something common or something that only happens on my test machine.
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Anonymous

2025-06-16T21:26:27+00:00
I just tried typing in a path. Then created a new folder two ways:
- Using the +New. This worked fine. Focus remained with the new folder, so I could rename.
- Right clicking and selecting New > Folder. This also worked.
So my Windows 11 PC seems to be working as intended. Hopefully, others will find that the issue disappears as Microsoft provides updates for other variants of Win 11.

It does seem concerning that this issue is somehow complicated enough that a general update can't resolve the problem.
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Anonymous

2025-06-16T20:06:13+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.

I do not have the same problem as you describe.

When I do the steps above you describe (focus is already on the address bar) and then press new + folder, then the folder is created and I can edit it.

Are you using any tool that has switched your Explorer to the "Ribbon UI", such as StartAllBack or Explorer Patcher?

Thank you. No I do not.
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