Cannot create a new folder in Windows 10 2023

Users have reported a strange problem where they can not create new folders under Windows 10, using the right-click context menu. This is true for the office and in other files. If you face this problem, read on.

Can not create new folders in Windows 10

If Windows 10 can not create a new folder from the right-click context menu, try the following suggestions:

Use the keyboard shortcut
Check the folder permissions
Reset the folder view in the explorer
New shortcut menu missing?
Troubleshoot in a clean boot state
Run the System File Checker
Perform the system restore.

Let us see them in detail.

This problem has 2 conditions. One is the inability to create folders on the desktop and the other, when you can not create folders inside existing folders. Try the following solutions sequentially to solve the problem:

1) Use the keyboard shortcut

The keyboard shortcut to create a new folder is CTRL + SHIFT + N. You can try it to create a new folder. If it works, you will save a lot of time with more complex solutions. Although it will always be a workaround and not a solution.

2) Check the folder permissions

Although users have permission to create new default folders, folder permissions can be changed by a virus, malware, Windows Update, and so on. In this case, you can check the folder permissions and correct them as follows:

Right-click anywhere in the main folder and select Properties from the menu.

Go to the Security tab and select the user logged into the system.

Click Edit.

In the Permissions section, under Allow, check the Full Control and Write checkboxes.

Click Apply to save the settings.

Check if this solves the problem.

The lack of permissions is the main cause of the problem under discussion. Adding them should solve the problem in most cases.

If adding permissions does not help, or if you also experience this problem on the desktop, try the following solutions in sequence:

3) Reset the folder view in the explorer

By default, the file explorer is configured to allow users to create subfolders. If the settings have changed for any reason (virus, malware, Windows update, etc.), you can restore the default view of the folder view, via the file explorer or the file manager. registry editor.

4) New shortcut menu missing?

When you try to create a new folder, right-click the parent folder and select the folder. New Contextual menu. This new context menu may be missing in many systems. This article will help you restore the default value if the New Shortcut menu item is missing.

5) Troubleshoot in a clean boot state

If a third-party program prevents the creation of a new folder, you can identify the cause by rebooting the system in clean boot mode. In this state, the system will boot, but no third-party program will launch automatically at startup. Thus, you will be able to know if a third party program is causing the problem or not.

Otherwise, you can check the default startup programs and disable the problematic ones.

6) Run the system file checker

The issue under discussion is unexpected, yet a common problem. One of the reasons behind such a problem could be corrupted or missing system files. An SFC scan can help check for corrupt or missing files and replace them if necessary.

7) Perform System Restore

If all else fails, you can try to restore the system to a previous system restore point, when you know it is working properly. It is quite possible that recent changes to the system are causing the problem and that a system restore could solve this problem. Note that system restore only works if you have created a restore point before. Thus, we suggest creating restore points from time to time.

I hope it helps!