The folks at Home Computer Magazine have just posted an excellent tip that addresses the lack of an easy way to
create a new folder in Windows Explorer.
Using a free, open source tool called AutoHotKey, they've created a compiled script that provides an easy keyboard
shortcut (Ctrl+N). The post itself describes how to use AutoHotKey to set
this up and, if you're looking for a free tool that allows you to automate routine tasks and don't mind a bit of
command construction (the syntax is not difficult but you are writing scripts), this post and the documentation on
the AutoHotKey site will tell you everything you need to know.
But, if you read all the way through the post, you'll find a ready-to-use compiled script linked from the comment at
the end of the article. You don't need anything but this script to enable the Ctrl+N keyboard shortcut.
A very nice piece of work from this excellent online magazine.
Home Computer Magazine tip: creating a new folder
Reader Comments
(Page 1)2. I've been going crazy over wanting a hot-key for adding a comment in MS Word. Maybe there is one hidden away somewhere, but I never found it.
I downloaded AutoHotKey and was able to set up Ctrl-Alt-C to create a comment.
Very cool.
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Dan Woodward
3. This has proved much more popular than I expected, so I've decided to see if there are any other shortcuts that people would like to see built-in to Windows that are missing. If people email me suggestions at dave.taylor@cranberrypublishing.com, I'll work on an extended version and release it for people.
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by David Taylor
4. There is a very useful freeware tool from BAxBEx Software @ http://www.baxbex.com/ called bxNewFolder, and it does just that, plus more. It sets the F12 key as the New Folder key, and also places a button on the Windows Explorer toolbar.
When you hit F12 or press the button, you get a dialog box with a dropdown text field (it stores previously entered new folder names) and a browse button, which gives you the standard folder selector tree where you can select a destination for the folder other than the default, current one.
So its basically F12, type in name, hit Enter - but if you hit Shift-Enter, it will take you inside the folder directly. Simple AND free, all the while dee-lux at the same time ;)
To download, go to the developer's site - it'll be the third product up from the buttom of the list on the products page.
Tom
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Tom Spis
5. Woops.. having gone back in the archive, I just noticed Marc's post about bxNewFolder @ http://office.weblogsinc.com/entry/1234000280027420/ ... oh well, call it convergent micro-evolution (of ideas [or more correctly, indexing of others' ideas]), I guess :)
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Tom Spis
6. Ok, at Marc's suggestion, I've just added a second comment on the HCM site which includes uninstall information (just delete) and a link to second compiled version which includes the Folderbox shortcut, so there are two versions now.
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by David Taylor
7. I've been going crazy over wanting a hot-key for adding a comment in MS Word. Maybe there is one hidden away somewhere, but I never found it.
I downloaded AutoHotKey and was able to set up Ctrl-Alt-C to create a comment.
Very cool.
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Dan Woodward
8. This has proved much more popular than I expected, so I've decided to see if there are any other shortcuts that people would like to see built-in to Windows that are missing. If people email me suggestions at dave.taylor@cranberrypublishing.com, I'll work on an extended version and release it for people.
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by David Taylor
9. There is a very useful freeware tool from BAxBEx Software @ http://www.baxbex.com/ called bxNewFolder, and it does just that, plus more. It sets the F12 key as the New Folder key, and also places a button on the Windows Explorer toolbar.
When you hit F12 or press the button, you get a dialog box with a dropdown text field (it stores previously entered new folder names) and a browse button, which gives you the standard folder selector tree where you can select a destination for the folder other than the default, current one.
So its basically F12, type in name, hit Enter - but if you hit Shift-Enter, it will take you inside the folder directly. Simple AND free, all the while dee-lux at the same time ;)
To download, go to the developer's site - it'll be the third product up from the buttom of the list on the products page.
Tom
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Tom Spis
10. Woops.. having gone back in the archive, I just noticed Marc's post about bxNewFolder @ http://office.weblogsinc.com/entry/1234000280027420/ ... oh well, call it convergent micro-evolution (of ideas [or more correctly, indexing of others' ideas]), I guess :)
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by Tom Spis
1. Ok, at Marc's suggestion, I've just added a second comment on the HCM site which includes uninstall information (just delete) and a link to second compiled version which includes the Folderbox shortcut, so there are two versions now.
Posted at 6:20AM on Dec 19th 2005 by David Taylor