How to Restore Missing “New” or “New Folder” Option in Desktop and Explorer Context Menu in Windows?

Many Windows users complain about missing “New” menu item in context menu (right-click menu). Whenever they right-click on Desktop or in Windows Explorer, they don’t get the “New” option in context menu. Sometimes users get the “New” menu but the “New -> Folder” option is missing in the context menu.

Most of the times this problem occurs due to a 3rd software such as tweaking utility or an old incompatible driver which removes the “New” menu or “New Folder” option by mistake as a result of bad programming by the developer. The software accidentally deletes a required key from Windows Registry which results into the missing “New” or “New Folder” options in context menu.

Sometimes if the Registry key gets corrupted, it might also cause “New” menu disappearing from context menu.

Advertisement

Missing_New_Menu.png

Today in this tutorial, we are going to tell you how to add or enable the “New” menu and “New Folder” option back into Desktop and Explorer context menu. So if you are also facing this problem, follow these simple steps to get menu option back:

1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now go to following key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\

2. Now create a new key “New” under “ContextMenuHandlers” key.

3. Select “New” key and in right-side pane, set the value of Default to:

{D969A300-E7FF-11d0-A93B-00A0C90F2719}

Advertisement

4. Close Registry Editor and you’ll get the missing “New” option back in context menu.

PS: If you don’t want to modify the Registry and want a ready-made Registry script to do the task automatically, download following ZIP file, extract it and then run the extracted .REG file:

It’ll ask for confirmation, accept it. It’ll immediately restore the missing “New” menu item in context menu of any Windows version you are using.

NOTE: If you have the “New” menu but the “New -> Folder” option is missing in your computer, try following Registry script to restore “New Folder” option in “New” menu:

Also Check:

How to Add or Remove Items from “New” Context Menu in Windows?

How to Enable / Disable “New -> Shortcut” Item in Windows Context Menu?

Published in: Troubleshooting Guides, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. Working like charm but I had to recreate the Background key, the shellex key, and the ContextMenuHandlers key as well as the New key.

  2. New has come back after registry fix recommended by you. However when I try to create a new folder, it creates a shortcut.
    Shortcut behaves correctly.
    I have tried Ctrl + Shift + N and this does the same thing, creates a shortcut
    Any suggestions.

  3. Thank U so much you really saved me!. ….It’s working 100%

    Download Registry Script to Restore “New” Option in Windows Context Menu

  4. Good morning,
    I’m using WIN 10. I followed your registry edit advice to add “New>Folder” to my context box, but now, when it creates a new folder, I get a dialog box that asks me to name the new shortcut.

    Also, the new folder icon is a white blank. When I click it, it asks me what I want to open it with.
    How do I fix these two issues?

    Thank you,
    Will

  5. Good morning again!

    I made a mistake with my description of the first issue in my previous comment. When I create a new folder, I get a dialog box asking me “What item would you like to create a new shortcut for?”

    Thanks again.
    Will

  6. Finally someone on the internet provided the correct answer to the bloody frustrating problem…MANY THANKS

  7. With my issue, I only have FileSyncEx and Work Folders in ContentMenuHandlers. I do not have New. I don’t even see New on my pop up menu when I right click to create a new folder. Please how do I resolve this problem.

    Thank you

  8. Thanks a lot! That worked >. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\Background\shellex\ ContextMenuHandlers\

    Bless you!

  9. thanks so very much indeed, I didn’t really want to fool around with the registry been trying everything ,many thanks for these files ,all is well now -zaine

  10. Yea. Mine happened when I uninstalled ‘onedrive’, as I didn’t want the ‘onedrive’ ‘spyware’.
    Guess I got punished for removing it by the microsoft ‘snake-heads’.

  11. Thank you for this solution. I’ve spent days trying different things and researching solutions. None of them worked until I found your article. You made it easy to follow and understand.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

NOTE: Your comment may not appear immediately. It'll become visible once we approve it.