How to Create Multiple Folders in File Explorer

To create multiple folders in File Explorer, open the parent folder and press Ctrl+Shift+N (or choose New > Folder), type the name, press Enter, and repeat for each folder. File Explorer makes one folder at a time; for a longer list, one md command creates them all in a single step. For the next step, see How to Find Empty Folders in Windows 11 Safely.

For a short set of folders—such as “Invoices,” “Receipts,” and “Reports”—the manual approach is straightforward. You can add each folder where you need it and keep working in File Explorer, without switching to a command window or preparing a separate list. For a closer look, read How to Create Folders from an Excel List in Windows.

This guide shows the File Explorer steps first, then the one-line command for longer lists, and how to check that every folder landed in the right place.

Use New Folder as the dependable fallback

1. Open the parent folder where you want the new folders to go. For example, if you are organizing project documents, open that project’s folder before creating folders for Invoices, Receipts, and Reports.

2. Select New > Folder, or press Ctrl+Shift+N. Type the first folder name and press Enter. Use a name that makes the folder’s purpose clear, such as Invoices for bills you need to keep together.

3. Repeat the same action for each folder. Create Receipts next, then Reports, entering each name and pressing Enter before moving on. Working through your list one name at a time helps you keep track of what you have already added.

4. When you have finished, review the destination folder. Check that each intended name appears, scan for typos such as Reciepts, and look for duplicates such as two folders named Reports. If you notice an error, fix it before you begin saving files, so you do not have to decide which folder to use later.

Create many folders at once with one command

Open the parent folder in File Explorer, click the address bar, type cmd and press Enter. A Command Prompt window opens in that folder. Type the folder names after md, separated by spaces, and press Enter:

md Invoices Receipts Reports

Each name becomes a folder. Put a name that contains spaces in quotes, for example md "Tax Records" Receipts. Close the window and the new folders appear in File Explorer.

For a list of dozens of names, see Create Multiple Folders with PowerShell.

Ways to create multiple folders in File Explorer

This table shows the File Explorer options for creating multiple folders and when to use each.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I create multiple folders in File Explorer at once?

File Explorer makes one folder at a time: open the parent folder, press Ctrl+Shift+N, type the name and press Enter, then repeat. To make them all in one step, click the address bar, type cmd, press Enter, and run md Invoices Receipts Reports.

Is there a “Create multiple folders” option in the right-click menu?

No. Windows 11 does not include a right-click item that creates several folders at once. Create each folder with New > Folder or Ctrl+Shift+N, enter its name, and press Enter, or use the md command for a long list.

How can I create several folders one at a time?

Open the parent folder, select New > Folder or press Ctrl+Shift+N, type the first folder name, and press Enter. Repeat those steps for each name. When you finish, check the destination for missing folders, typos, or duplicates before you begin saving files.

How do I check that my new folders are in the right place?

Review the parent folder and confirm that each intended folder name appears with the correct spelling. Open a couple of the folders to check that they are inside the parent folder you chose. If you find a typo or a folder in the wrong place, correct it before adding files.

Confirm the folders were created in the right place

After creating the folders, review the destination and open a couple to confirm the names and location are right. Look for the expected names in the parent folder—for example, if you planned folders called “Invoices,” “Receipts,” and “Reports,” check that each appears there and is spelled as intended. Then open two of them and confirm they sit inside the parent folder you chose, rather than somewhere else.

If you spot a typo or a folder in the wrong place, correct it before adding files so your work stays organized. For a small set of folders, creating each one manually is a straightforward fallback. If you have a long list of names, use the md command shown above rather than repeating the same step many times. Your next step is simple: check the destination, verify a couple of folders, and then start using them.