Create Directory
Create Directory
How to create a directory or folder There are multiple ways to create a folder, subfolder, directory, and subdirectory on a computer. The methods depend on the operating system or where the directory is being created. Select a link below for steps on how to create a directory and folder in each major operating system.
Creating a folder in Microsoft Windows
My Computer or Windows Explorer
Open My Computer or Windows Explorer.
Open the drive or folder in which you'd like to create the new folder; for example, the C: drive. If you do not want to create a folder in the root directory, browse to the location of your choosing.
In Windows 10 on the Home tab, click the New folder icon. In Windows 7 and earlier on the file menu bar, select File and then Folder.
Tip
In all versions of Windows, you can also right-click with your mouse on a blank portion of the folder, select New and then Folder.
Note
If you're using Windows 7 or earlier and do not see the file menu bar at the top of Windows Explorer, press the Alt key and it should become visible.
Windows desktop
Navigate to the Windows desktop.
Right-click with your mouse on any blank portion of the desktop.
In the menu that appears (like that shown in the picture), click New and then Folder.
A new folder appears. Type the name of the folder you want to use and then press Enter.
Create a new folder using a shortcut key
While in Windows Explorer, you can press Ctrl+Shift+N to create a new folder without using the mouse.
Windows command line
See the following MS-DOS and Windows command line user section for information about creating a directory in the Windows command line.
Creating a directory in MS-DOS and the Windows command line
Tip
It is more appropriate to use "directory" instead of "folder" when referring to the command line.
To create a directory in MS-DOS or the Windows command line, use the md or mkdir MS-DOS command. For example, below we are creating a new directory called "hope" in the current directory.
mkdir hope
You can also create multiple new directories in the current directory by using the md command. In the next example, we are creating three new directories, called "user1," "user2," and "user3," in the current directory.
md user1 user2 user3
If you want to create a directory with spaces, you need to surround the directory name with quotes. In the example below, we are creating a directory called "my example directory" in the current directory.
md "my example directory"
To create a directory in the parent directory, without first moving into that directory, you can use the command below. This example moves back one directory to create the "example" directory.
md ..\example
To create a subdirectory in a different directory without moving into it, use a command similar to the example below, which creates a "test"
directory in the hope directory.
mkdir hope\test
Tip
Once a directory is created, you can use the cd command to change the directory and move into that directory.
To make a directory in another drive without moving into that drive you could use a command similar to the example below, which creates an "example" directory on the F: drive. The drive letter "f:" can be substituted from any drive letter.
md f:\example
Create a directory with a batch file
A batch file is a series of commands that can be entered in the command line. Therefore, you can use any of the examples from the section above in the batch file to create a new folder.
Creating a directory in Linux, Unix, and their variants
Tip
It is more appropriate to use "directory" instead of "folder" when in a command line.
Note
You must have the permissions to create a directory outside of your home directory.
To create a directory in Linux, Unix, or any variant, use the mkdir Linux and Unix command. For example, below we are creating a new directory called hope in the current directory.
mkdir hope
Tip
Once the directory is created, you can use the cd command to change the directory and move into that directory.
Tip
If you want to change the permissions of a directory after its been created, use the chmod command.
Creating a folder and directory in Microsoft Windows 3.X
File Manager
Open File Manager
Open the folder in which you'd like to place the new folder and on the menu at the top of File Manager, select File and then new folder.
MS-DOS
See the above MS-DOS user section for information about creating a directory in MS-DOS.
Creating a folder in macOS X
Desktop folder
Navigate to the macOS desktop.
Right-click (tap two fingers on the mouse) any blank space on the desktop.
Select New Folder from the drop-down menu that appears.
Name the folder and then press Return.
Create a folder in a directory
Open Finder and navigate to the directory in which you'd like to create the folder.
Click on File in the upper-left corner of the screen.
Select New Folder in the drop-down menu that appears.
Name the folder, and then press Return.
Tip
Users may also press the shortcut key combination Command+Shift+N to create a new folder.
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