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

I just fresh installed Windows 11 24H2 on a HP EliteDesk 800 G5 and its already developed this issue. The file explorer is near unusable if you need to make folders. It also affects applications that open the Windows folder browser to save or open files with the focus set incorrectly. I have this problem on an HP laptop as well. Would be interesting to know what we all have in common? Could it be that HP Security wolf created this problem? This software was a disaster.

I just fresh installed Windows 11 24H2 on a HP EliteDesk 800 G5 and its already developed this issue. The file explorer is near unusable if you need to make folders. It also affects applications that open the Windows folder browser to save or open files with the focus set incorrectly.

Restarting file explorer also works, but in both cases, typing into the address bar reintroduces the bug.

It doesn't work if I navigate by directly typing in the search bar. It in fact breaks the fix and the setting needs to be done in the folder options again to fix it. However, I can still navigate up the file tree by clicking on the folders in the search bar as long as I don't enter a file path in text. Thank you for confirming. This is clearly still a bug that Microsoft needs to address. The "fix" you've been using simply resets the focus. That's why it "breaks" again when you enter a path in the address bar. Those options are a red herring. You don't even need to change any option. Just bring up the Folder Options dialog and click OK and that's enough. You can also "fix" the issue by pressing the Tab key until an item is highlighted in the main window (takes about 5 presses). That also resets the focus. There are two fundamental problems (that Microsoft must fix) in regards to this annoying issue: Clicking on the main window does not change the focus from the address bar to the main window, as it should. Selecting any item from the upper-left "New" menu does not automatically set the focus to the main window, as it should.YesYes Yes, exactly.

Same experience here, very frustrating. Has anyone noticed that in older versions of windows we could create a folder with one click. Now it is two (menu or right click method). Changes that introduce a loss of productivity astound me. This situation is crying out for a toolbar > customise option, so we can add our own shortcut commands, so we can ignore MS offerings and add useful items to the toolbar. Yes good comment. I noticed this immediately when installing Windows 11. Why make it more complicated (two clicks New+folder)? And now it is four clicks! first round to create the folder and then right click + another click to select rename it! This issue is pending since so long time, no sign of MS on this forum... This still amazes me. Creating a full forum without participating to it is nonsense.

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

Anonymous

2025-03-31T18:36:38+00:00

I just fresh installed Windows 11 24H2 on a HP EliteDesk 800 G5 and its already developed this issue. The file explorer is near unusable if you need to make folders. It also affects applications that open the Windows folder browser to save or open files with the focus set incorrectly.

I have this problem on an HP laptop as well. Would be interesting to know what we all have in common? Could it be that HP Security wolf created this problem? This software was a disaster.
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Anonymous

2025-03-31T01:20:47+00:00

I just fresh installed Windows 11 24H2 on a HP EliteDesk 800 G5 and its already developed this issue. The file explorer is near unusable if you need to make folders. It also affects applications that open the Windows folder browser to save or open files with the focus set incorrectly.
Was this answer helpful?

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Anonymous

2025-03-31T01:04:22+00:00

Restarting file explorer also works, but in both cases, typing into the address bar reintroduces the bug.
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Anonymous

2025-03-30T17:39:36+00:00
It doesn't work if I navigate by directly typing in the search bar. It in fact breaks the fix and the setting needs to be done in the folder options again to fix it. However, I can still navigate up the file tree by clicking on the folders in the search bar as long as I don't enter a file path in text.

Thank you for confirming. This is clearly still a bug that Microsoft needs to address.

The "fix" you've been using simply resets the focus. That's why it "breaks" again when you enter a path in the address bar. Those options are a red herring. You don't even need to change any option. Just bring up the Folder Options dialog and click OK and that's enough.

You can also "fix" the issue by pressing the Tab key until an item is highlighted in the main window (takes about 5 presses). That also resets the focus.

There are two fundamental problems (that Microsoft must fix) in regards to this annoying issue:

Clicking on the main window does not change the focus from the address bar to the main window, as it should.

Selecting any item from the upper-left "New" menu does not automatically set the focus to the main window, as it should.YesYes
Yes, exactly.
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Anonymous

2025-03-30T17:28:04+00:00

Same experience here, very frustrating. Has anyone noticed that in older versions of windows we could create a folder with one click. Now it is two (menu or right click method). Changes that introduce a loss of productivity astound me. This situation is crying out for a toolbar > customise option, so we can add our own shortcut commands, so we can ignore MS offerings and add useful items to the toolbar.

Yes good comment. I noticed this immediately when installing Windows 11. Why make it more complicated (two clicks New+folder)?

And now it is four clicks! first round to create the folder and then right click + another click to select rename it!

This issue is pending since so long time, no sign of MS on this forum... This still amazes me. Creating a full forum without participating to it is nonsense.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments