The most common cause is a focus bug caused when the address bar stays selected after using the “New” menu, with other causes including missing or broken registry context-menu handlers Now that we’ve gone over every potential reason why you might be experiencing this problem, let’s visit every confirmed fix that other affected users have successfully used to get to the bottom of this issue:
1. Create a new folder via CMD
If you’re in a rush and you don’t have time to troubleshoot the root cause, a quick workaround is to create the folder from an elevated CMD prompt. IMPORTANT: This will not fix the root cause of the issue. Use this only if you’re in a hurry. For a permanent fix, try the other methods below.
2. Run the File & Folder Troubleshooter
You are likely dealing with a permission problem if none of the techniques above have enabled you to create a new folder on your Windows 11 computer. You should try running the File & Folder troubleshooter if this scenario seems relevant. Note: This tool has several automated fixes that may resolve the issue preventing you from creating new folders. If it detects a known problem, it will apply the repair automatically.
3. Make sure that you have Full Control over the parent folder
Another common cause is when the main folder where you’re creating the subfolder doesn’t grant you enough permissions. If this applies, right-click the main folder and adjust permissions from the Properties screen so you have Full Control and Read permissions. Note: This helps when the issue happens only in specific locations while other directories work normally.
4. Reset the current folder view
If changing permissions didn’t help, check whether a folder view setting is causing the issue. Several affected users who were dealing with the same problem confirmed they fixed it by opening File Explorer Options and resetting the folder views.
5. Create a New User Account
A corrupted Windows profile can also cause this. Many users who couldn’t create new folders reported the issue was resolved after switching to a local account. Note that using this approach effectively drops any corrupted dependencies tied to your current profile.
6. Deploy SFC and DISM scans
System file corruption can also cause folder creation problems on Windows 11. This often happens on systems with limited resources. System File Checker (SFC) and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) can scan for corrupted files and replace them with healthy copies. Even though both tools aim to fix corruption, they work differently: SFC uses local files, while DISM uses Windows Update to fetch fresh copies. We recommend you start with an SFC scan. After the SFC scan completes, restart your PC, then run a DISM scan. Note: Make sure your Internet connection is stable before starting the DISM procedure. If these tools identify and fix corrupted files, follow the on-screen prompts. After DISM finishes, restart your computer and test again.
7. Fix the Registry Inconsistency
If you’ve come this far without a fix, try a registry adjustment that has helped many users restore the “New” context menu behavior in Windows 11. This method involves creating a new key under ContextMenuHandlers named New and setting its (Default) value to reset the folder creation entry. Note: We recommend you back up your registry before proceeding so you can roll back if needed.
8. Disable Controlled Folder Access
You might have trouble creating new folders because the AV setting (Controlled folder access) is blocking changes in certain locations. Note: Controlled folder access protects your data by allowing only trusted apps to make changes. While useful, it can sometimes prevent creating folders in “sensitive” locations. If you only have problems in specific locations and you’re using Windows Security, follow these steps to disable Controlled Folder Access temporarily:
9. Perform a Clean Boot
If third-party programs and services run at startup, software you installed might indirectly block folder creation. To check this, reach a clean boot state and see if the issue disappears. If the problem happens only sometimes, a third-party process could be interfering. The best approach is to clean boot and then gradually re-enable services and startup items until you find the culprit — it’s virtually impossible to list every potential offender. In this situation, starting in clean boot mode and checking for software conflicts should help you pinpoint the problematic service or process. Note: In a clean boot, Windows starts without third-party services, processes, or startup items, which helps rule out conflicts. To achieve this clean boot state, follow the step-by-step directions in this article.
10. Perform a repair install or clean install
If none of the fixes above worked, the issue is likely caused by deep system file corruption. You have two options:
Repair install – Recommended if possible. This reinstalls Windows system files without touching your personal files or installed apps.Clean install – Best if you want a fresh start. Be aware this will erase everything on the OS drive (media, documents, apps, and games).
