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How to create a folder on your Windows or Mac computer

Sandy Writtenhouse
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Your desktop, whether Windows or Mac, is the handiest spot for the applications, files, and folders you use most. Maybe you’d like to organize your desktop icons by placing some in a folder. Or perhaps, you want to set up a folder for new files you plan to create for quick desktop access.

Whatever your reason or purpose, here’s how to create a folder on your desktop on Windows and Mac.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

5 minutes

What You Need

  • Windows or Mac computer

Create a folder on a Windows desktop

Creating a folder on your Windows desktop is super simple and you have more than one way to do it. Once you create it, you can move desktop items into it or simply make it a home for future files.

Step 1: Right-click a blank spot on your desktop.

Step 2: Move your cursor to New in the menu and pick Folder in the pop-out menu.

New, Folder in the Windows desktop shortcut menu.
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Related

Step 3: When you see the folder appear, the default name “New folder” is automatically selected so that you can just enter a name of your own.

Type the name, press Enter, and your folder is ready to go.

New folder created on the Windows desktop.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Alternatively, you can create a desktop folder from File Explorer or with a keyboard shortcut.

  • Open File Explorer, select Desktop on the left, and pick New folder in the ribbon on the Home tab.
  • Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + N to create a new desktop folder.
New Folder in the ribbon on the File Explorer Home tab.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Name the folder, press Enter, and you’ll see the new folder on your desktop in the next open spot.

You can then drag existing desktop icons for applications, files, or other folders into your new folder. Or, save future files to that folder by selecting it as the location in the Save As dialog box for the application you’re using.

Create a folder on a Mac desktop

Creating a folder on your Mac desktop is just as easy as creating one on Windows. Whether you want to organize your desktop or set up a spot for files you plan to create, it’s a breeze.

Step 1: Right-click a blank spot on your desktop.

Step 2: Select New folder at the top of the menu.

New Folder in the Mac desktop shortcut menu.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: When the folder appears, the default name “Untitled folder” is automatically selected. So, type the name you want for the folder and press Return.

New folder created on the Mac desktop.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: Alternatively, you can create a desktop folder from Finder or with a keyboard shortcut.

  • Open Finder and select Desktop on the left. Then, either right-click anywhere on the right and pick New folder or go to File > New folder from the menu bar.
  • Use the keyboard shortcut Shift + Command + N to create a new desktop folder.
New Folder in the Finder shortcut menu on Mac.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 5: Name the folder and press Return. You’ll see the new folder on your desktop in the next open spot.

Then, drag existing desktop items into your new folder or select it when you save future files you want in that folder.

Frequently asked questions

What shortcut creates a new folder?

Surprisingly, creating a new folder via keyboard shortcut is similar on both Windows and Mac; just press Shift + Ctrl + N or Shift + Command + N depending on the system.

How do I put files into a folder on desktop?

To put files into a folder on desktop, choose the folder as the save location when saving the file for the first time or when you use the Save As command. If the file already exists, you can click it and drag it into the new folder and it should transfer automatically.

Now that you know how to create a folder on your computer’s desktop, check out how to make a folder on iPhone or how to create a Google Drive folder.

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Topics
Sandy Writtenhouse
Sandy Writtenhouse
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Sandy has been writing about technology since 2012. Her work has appeared on How-To Geek, Lifewire, MakeUseOf, iDownloadBlog…
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