Frequently Asked Question

Think of creating new folders in Mac OS the same way you’d think of labeling a new folder at work for a specific project. New folders help you keep your files organized, enabling you to reorganize them just the way you want. Creating folders in Mac OS is very simple.

1. Decide which window you want the new folder to appear in, and then make sure that window is active.If you want to create a new folder right on the Desktop, make sure that no otherwindow is active.
   You can make a window active by clicking it, and you can make the Desktop active if you have windows on-screen by clicking the Desktop itself.
2. Choose File→New Folder (or press Shift+Command+N).
   A new, untitled folder appears in the active window with its name box already highlighted, ready for you to type a new name for it.
3. Type a name for your folder.
   If you accidentally click anywhere before you type a name for the folder, the name box is no longer highlighted. To highlight it again, select the icon (single-click it) and then press Return (or Enter) once. Now you can type its new name.
   

   For folders and files that you might share with users of non-Macintosh computers, here’s the rule for maximum compatibility: Use no punctuation and no Option-key characters in the folder name.