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

Thanks man! This did it for me! So simple yet so effective! Thank you! It was driving me nuts!

I get it with right-click as well. Strange. I can't replicate the issue with right-click New > Folder. Maybe we're doing something different, but I can't imagine what that might be.

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. Yes! The setting was initially "Select the typed item in the view" which is obviously what it should be.. I guess the setting has changed with an update, but the UI isn't reflecting it. I changed the setting to "Automatically type into the Seach Box", hit Apply, then back to "Select the typed item in the view" and it seems to be fine. Time will tell if it lasts! In case anyone doesn't know where to find this: In file explorer, to the right of the toolstrip (cut/copy/paste etc) hit the 3 dots select Options select View Tab scroll down to "When typing into list view" (has a yellow folder icon) set it to "Automatically type into the Seach Box" Hit Apply change it back to "Select the typed item in the view" Hit OK/Apply

Brilliant! Finally, a solution that resolves the new folder naming issue. Thanks! Update: The 'Options > View > Type' solution above was temporary. Within 30 minutes, the issue returned.

I still see the problem. There are situations where it's fine. For example, if I set focus to the main Explorer window using the Tab key, it's fine. If I launch Explorer directly to a folder (e.g. explorer C:\Test) it's also fine. However, if I change folder using the address bar and then select "New > Folder" from the command bar, the problem is still there. In that case, clicking on the main window, or even an item within the main window, does not properly set the focus. It still jumps to the address bar (because focus is really still there). Using right-click, New > Folder is always fine for me, but at least one person here said that didn't work for them, so YMMV. Here's a video demonstrating the problem. Test was done with Windows 11 24H2 26100.2894

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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Anonymous

2025-01-30T17:30:04+00:00

Thanks man! This did it for me! So simple yet so effective! Thank you! It was driving me nuts!
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Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-01-30T18:12:55+00:00

I get it with right-click as well.

Strange. I can't replicate the issue with right-click New > Folder. Maybe we're doing something different, but I can't imagine what that might be.
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Anonymous

2025-01-31T00:44:58+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.

Yes!

The setting was initially "Select the typed item in the view" which is obviously what it should be.. I guess the setting has changed with an update, but the UI isn't reflecting it.

I changed the setting to "Automatically type into the Seach Box", hit Apply, then back to "Select the typed item in the view" and it seems to be fine. Time will tell if it lasts!

In case anyone doesn't know where to find this:
1. In file explorer, to the right of the toolstrip (cut/copy/paste etc) hit the 3 dots
2. select Options
3. select View Tab
4. scroll down to "When typing into list view" (has a yellow folder icon)
5. set it to "Automatically type into the Seach Box"
6. Hit Apply
7. change it back to "Select the typed item in the view"
8. Hit OK/Apply
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3 people found this answer helpful.

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Anonymous

2025-01-31T13:41:32+00:00

Brilliant!

Finally, a solution that resolves the new folder naming issue.

Thanks!

Update: The 'Options > View > Type' solution above was temporary. Within 30 minutes, the issue returned.
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Les Ferch 10,361 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-01-31T14:46:50+00:00

I still see the problem.

There are situations where it's fine. For example, if I set focus to the main Explorer window using the Tab key, it's fine. If I launch Explorer directly to a folder (e.g. explorer C:\Test) it's also fine.

However, if I change folder using the address bar and then select "New > Folder" from the command bar, the problem is still there. In that case, clicking on the main window, or even an item within the main window, does not properly set the focus. It still jumps to the address bar (because focus is really still there).

Using right-click, New > Folder is always fine for me, but at least one person here said that didn't work for them, so YMMV.

Here's a video demonstrating the problem. Test was done with Windows 11 24H2 26100.2894
Was this answer helpful?

4 people found this answer helpful.

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