Windows 11 “New Folder” Missing From Right-Click Menu

Published by Nyau Wai Hoe - Updated on

Are you having trouble finding the “New Folder” option in the right-click menu on your Windows 11 computer, causing you to not be able to create any new folder? Don’t worry, you are not alone. This problem is not new and has been seen in previous versions of Windows, including Windows 10. However, there are several ways to fix this issue.

In this article, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of the issue and provide step-by-step instructions for various solutions.

Windows 11 New Folder Missing From Right-Click Menu

Why is the “New Folder” option missing?

There are a few reasons why the “New Folder” option may disappear from the context menu. One of the most common causes of this issue is a problem with the folder registry entries that handle creating new folders. These entries may be missing, incorrectly set, or corrupted, causing the “New Folder” option to disappear from the right-click menu. This issue can also cause all other ways to create new folders to stop working, including creating a new folder through the File Explorer ribbon or using the shortcut keys Ctrl + Shift + N.

Another common reason for the missing “New Folder” option is third-party software that has adversely modified how Windows creates new folders. Some third-party software may have made changes to the way the “New Folder” option works, causing it to disappear from the right-click menu or rendering the Ctrl + Shift + N shortcut nonfunctional.

Additionally, users may face another problem where the entire “New” menu is missing from the context menu when right-clicking on the desktop, which causes users to be unable to create any new folder, shortcut, text file, etc. This problem can be caused by a missing “New” subkey in the Windows registry.

Similar issue: Windows 11 Can’t Create New Text File (Missing)

It’s worth noting that the “New Folder” option missing from the right-click menu is not limited to Windows 11 and is a common issue in Windows 10 as well. However, the solutions provided in this article should work for both operating systems.

How to fix the “New Folder” missing from right-click menu issue

Here are some solutions you can try to fix the “New > Folder” missing from the context menu issue in Windows 11 or Windows 10.

See also: How to Customize Right-Click Menu in Windows 11

Solution 1: Use Command Prompt

The first solution is to use Command Prompt to fix the missing “New Folder” option from the right-click menu. This solution works by resetting the folder association setting to its default value. The folder association setting might have been changed by some third-party software, causing the “New Folder” option to go missing. To reset the folder association, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “Command Prompt.”
  2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”Command Prompt Run as Administrator
  3. Type “assoc folder=Folder” without the quotes and press Enter.Why can't I create new folders in Windows 11
  4. Close the Command Prompt and check if the “New Folder” option has returned to the right-click menu.

Solution 2: Edit the registry

If the command line doesn’t work, you may need to edit the registry to fix the missing “New Folder” option issue. However, it’s important to note that editing the registry can be risky and may cause system instability or errors if not done correctly. Therefore, it’s highly recommended to create a system restore point before attempting to modify the registry to ensure that you can revert the changes if anything goes wrong.

To edit the registry to fix the issue, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “regedit.”
  2. Right-click on “Registry Editor” and select “Run as administrator.”Open Regedit Windows 11
  3. Navigate to the following registry key:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder
  4. Double-click on the “(Default)” value in the right pane.
  5. Set the Value data to “Folder” (without the quotes).Fix New folder option missing from context menu
  6. Close the Registry Editor and check if the “New Folder” option has returned to the right-click menu.

By ensuring that the “(Default)” value in the “HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder” registry key is set to “Folder”, you’re essentially restoring the association between the context menu and the registry key that handles the creation of new folders. This should enable the “New Folder” option in the right-click menu and allow you to create new folders as usual.

Solution 3: Fix missing “New” menu

The third solution involves fixing the missing “New” menu from the context menu when right-clicking on the desktop. This problem causes users to be unable to create any new folder, shortcut, text file, etc. To fix this issue, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “regedit.”
  2. Right-click on “Registry Editor” and select “Run as administrator.”Open Regedit Windows 11
  3. Navigate to the following registry path:
    HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers
  4. Check if there is a subkey called “New” under ContextMenuHandlers key.
  5. If there is no “New” subkey, right-click on ContextMenuHandlers and select “New” and then select “Key.”Create New Folder registry fix Windows 11
  6. Name the new subkey “New.”Context Menu Handlers Windows 11
  7. Select the newly created “New” subkey and double-click on the “(Default)” value in the right pane.
  8. Enter “{D969A300-E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719}” (without the quotes) into its Value data and click OK.Fix missing New option from right-click menu Windows 11
  9. Restart your computer and check if the “New” menu has returned to the context menu when right-clicking on the desktop.

Other possible solutions

If the solutions mentioned above don’t work, there are a few other possible solutions that can help resolve the issue of the missing “New > Folder” option from the right-click menu in Windows 11.

Run the System File Checker tool

If you are still experiencing issues after trying all the solutions mentioned above, you can try running the System File Checker tool. This tool scans your system for any corrupted or missing system files and repairs them automatically. To run the System File Checker tool, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “Command Prompt.”
  2. Right-click on “Command Prompt” and select “Run as administrator.”
  3. Type “sfc /scannow” without the quotes and press Enter.SFC scannow Windows 11
  4. Wait for the scan to complete and restart your computer.

You may also want to try to startup repair your Windows using Command Prompt if the SFC or DISM command line tools fail to repair the errors.

Perform a clean boot to identify third-party software issues

Another solution is to perform a clean boot. This will help determine if any third-party software is causing the issue. To do this, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Windows key and type “msconfig.”
  2. Click on “System Configuration.”
  3. Go to the Services tab, check the “Hide all Microsoft services” box, and click on “Disable all.”Disable services on Windows Startup
  4. Go to the Startup tab and click on “Open Task Manager.”
  5. Disable all startup programs by right-clicking on them and selecting “Disable.”How to disable startup programs in Windows 11 via Task Manager
  6. Restart your computer and check if the “New Folder” option has returned to the right-click menu.

Reset Windows 11

If none of the above solutions work, resetting Windows 11 may be the last resort. This should help fix any system errors or issues that may be causing the missing “New Folder” option.

When resetting Windows 11, you will be given the option to choose between keeping your personal files, apps, and settings, or removing them entirely. It is recommended to create a backup of your data before proceeding, as this will ensure that your important files are safe in case of any unforeseen errors or data loss during the reset process.

Final thoughts

It’s important to note that prevention is key when it comes to system errors such as the missing “New Folder” option. Being cautious when installing third-party software, downloading software from trusted sources, and reading reviews before installation can prevent such issues from occurring in the first place.

Additionally, keeping your system clean and clutter-free can also prevent such issues. Deleting any unnecessary files, removing unused programs, and organizing your files and folders can help maintain system performance and prevent any potential errors.


Nyau Wai Hoe
Nyau Wai Hoe is the Founder and Chief Editor of WindowsDigitals.com. With a degree in software engineering and over 12 years of experience in the tech support industry, Nyau has established himself as an expert in the field, with a primary focus on the Microsoft Windows operating system. As a tech enthusiast, he loves exploring new technologies and leveraging them to solve real-life problems.

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