The Easiest Way to Create New Folders in Windows Using Shortcuts

Those of us who come from the days of typewriters rather than keyboards know all about shortcut keys. This was/is a method of speeding up your work routine and is still very prevalent today. For those of you who are not shortcut key users, don't worry. There is always another way to do everything in Windows.

Leave it to Microsoft to change some of the shortcut keys from one operating system to another. This must be one of the ways that they are always "improving" and therefore selling a new, upgraded version of their software. But let's get back on task.

Shortcut Key Notes

Screenshot of the Windows 7 Start Menu and desktop
  • Whenever shortcut keys are listed, with a plus sign ( + ) in the string, such as Ctrl+C, this indicates that the Ctrl key is held while the letter C is pressed.
  • When a shortcut key is listed with commas separating the string, such as Alt+F, W, F, the Alt key is held while the letter F is pressed, but then both these keys are released while the W and F keys are pressed one after the other.
  • You can use either upper or lower case letters in these shortcut key combinations. Uppercase letters are just shown in this article for clarity.

Windows XP Shortcut Keys to Create a New Folder

The keyboard shortcut key combination is this: Alt+F, W, F. Translated that means:

  • Hold down the Alt key while pressing the letter F.
  • Let go of both the Alt key and letter F and then press the letter W followed by the letter F in quick succession.

Keyboard and Mouse Combination

The mouse and keyboard shortcut key combination is: Right-click, W, F. Translated that means:

  • Right-click in the window and then press the letter W followed by the letter F in quick succession.

Shortcut Keys to Create a New Folder for Windows 7, 8, and 10

This shortcut key combination is more obvious and much easier to remember:
Ctrl+Shift+N

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