This beginner’s guide teaches you how to create new folders on your Mac laptop or desktop computer. It works for all currently supported versions of macOS. You can create new desktop folders by clicking the File menu and selecting New Folder. This article was co-authored by Yaffet Meshesha and was last updated on May 2, 2024.

Step-by-step guide to creating folders on Mac

Follow these simple methods to make new folders on your desktop or within Finder.

Method 1: On the desktop (right-click)

  • Right-click in an empty space on the desktop. A contextual menu will appear.
  • SelectNew Folder. A new folder will be created on the desktop.
  • Type a name for the new folder.

Method 2: On the desktop (menus)

  • Click on an open space on your desktop. The menu bar at the top should now show Finder next to the Apple icon.
  • Click the File menu in the menu bar.
  • SelectNew Folder.
  • Name your new folder.

Method 3: In Finder

  • OpenFinder by clicking the Finder icon in your dock.
  • Navigate to Documents (or any folder) in the Finder window.
  • Right-click on an empty space in the Finder window.
  • SelectNew Folder. A new folder will be created in the active Finder window.
  • Name your new folder.

Organizing files into folders

  • To put documents in a folder, drag and drop the file into the folder.
  • To move multiple documents, select them first (hold Command and click each one) and then drag them into the folder.
  • Check if you can’t move certain files: Make sure they aren’t read-only, ensure your keyboard works in other apps, and avoid moving files while the desktop is in Stacks view.
  • To delete a folder, drag it to the Trash on the dock or control-click the folder and selectDelete.
Pro tip: Use descriptive names for your folders, like “Work Projects 2024” or “Personal Photos,” to keep your files organized and easy to find later.

Once you’ve created your folders, start organizing your files by moving related documents, photos, or downloads into them. This helps declutter your desktop and makes searching for items much faster.

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Consider setting up a consistent folder structure, such as main categories like “Work,” “Personal,” and “Media,” with subfolders for more details. You can also rename folders anytime by right-clicking and selecting Rename, or use keyboard shortcuts like Command + I for more file info. Regularly review and clean up old folders to maintain efficiency on your Mac.