How do I create a new folder using a keyboard shortcut?

Does anyone know the shortcut key to create a new folder in Windows Explorer and in Finder?

Also, does anyone know the shortcut key to create a new folder on the desktop?

(I'm using windows vista and mac os x)

3 Answers

Windows

Ctrl+Shift+N: Create a new folder in Windows Explorer.

Alternatively, use ALT+F+W+F on older Windows versions and MENU+W+F on the desktop.

Mac OS X

Create a New Folder shortcut using the System Preferences -> Keyboard & Mouse -> Keyboard Shortcuts panel. The system won't let you choose Cmd-N, but it will let you choose Cmd-Shift-N. Use that.

Desktop

The shortcut key should work there too.

On Windows 10
Windows 10 offers an alternative way that I just found. You can configure it yourself. It was standard setting on my system so most people might already have it working this way.
Then the shortcut is Alt+2 (note not F2)

This refers to the index of the items at the top bar of the windows explorer:

It can be configured by clicking the arrow next to it to show the item on top (screen shot from german system):

I have created an autohotkey script to remap Ctrl+Shift+n to Capslock+F12. You can remap it to any other key you want.

The key below is context-sensitive, meaning it will only work in Windows Explorer AND Windows Explorer file dialogs (open/save as).

#IfWinActive AHK_CLASS #32770 Capslock & f12::
#IfWinActive AHK_CLASS CabinetWClass Capslock & f12:: Send {Ctrl Down}{Shift Down}{n}{Shift Up}{Ctrl Up} return
#IfWinActive

To understand the syntax above, see below example,

; Syntax - To have the same hotkey subroutine executed by more than one variant, the easiest way is to create a stack of identical hotkeys, each with a different #IfWin directive above it. For example: ;#IfWinActive ahk_class Notepad ;#z:: ;#IfWinActive ahk_class WordPadClass ;#z:: ;MsgBox You pressed Win+Z in either Notepad or WordPad. ;return

Hope you find this useful!