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.

my experiments show the same results right-click > New will work and the other method around this is to close/reopen that window Microsoft NEEDS to fix this

I've not managed to fix this permanently yet, but I've somehow come across a bit of a hack where if you create a new folder using right click instead of the + New button, it doesn't redirect you to the address bar and you can name the folder straight away. I created and named a few folders this way, then I forgot I was using the right-click method and used the + New button by accident, and it didn't redirect to the address bar and appears to be fixed? Very annoying glitch though!

Yes, as previously noted. When you right-click on the background, you're changing the focus, so it doesn't matter if the cursor was in the address bar.

Experiencing the same problem with folder name losing focus when creating new folder. I browsed to a folder using address bar, clicked in the window pane where files are listed, selected New > Folder from the menu. Default folder name was created and focus went to address bar. If I right-click in file list pane and then select New > Folder, behavior as expected. I hope MS resolves this issue soon.

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

2024-04-24T23:57:08+00:00

my experiments show the same results

right-click > New will work and the other method around this is to close/reopen that window

Microsoft NEEDS to fix this
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10 people found this answer helpful.

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Anonymous

2024-05-28T12:58:39+00:00

I've not managed to fix this permanently yet, but I've somehow come across a bit of a hack where if you create a new folder using right click instead of the + New button, it doesn't redirect you to the address bar and you can name the folder straight away.

I created and named a few folders this way, then I forgot I was using the right-click method and used the + New button by accident, and it didn't redirect to the address bar and appears to be fixed?

Very annoying glitch though!
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2 people found this answer helpful.

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Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2024-05-28T13:09:17+00:00

Yes, as previously noted.

When you right-click on the background, you're changing the focus, so it doesn't matter if the cursor was in the address bar.
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Anonymous

2024-06-19T16:21:43+00:00

Experiencing the same problem with folder name losing focus when creating new folder.

I browsed to a folder using address bar, clicked in the window pane where files are listed, selected New > Folder from the menu.

Default folder name was created and focus went to address bar.

If I right-click in file list pane and then select New > Folder, behavior as expected.

I hope MS resolves this issue soon.
Was this answer helpful?

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