When you create a new folder in File Explorer of Windows 10, it is named "New Folder" by default. With a simple Registry tweak it is possible to customize this behavior and set the default name template to any text you want. Here is how.
This the default name template for a new folder in Windows 10:
To change the default name for a new folder in File Explorer, you need to do the following:
- Open Registry Editor.
- Go to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\NamingTemplates
Tip: See how to jump to the desired Registry key with one click.
If you don't have the NamingTemplates subkey, then just create it. - Create a string value named RenameNameTemplate. Set its value data as described below.
By default, the value data of RenameNameTemplate is assumed to beNew Folder
You can set this value data to any desired string. For example, you can set the RenameNameTemplate value data to:
New Directory
After that, try to create a new folder:
This has an annoying side effect. If you create a new text document, it will be also named "New Directory.txt".To avoid this, try to insert for the RenameNameTemplate value, a generic string such as <strong>%s</strong>. It will be replaced with the appropriate file name. For example, if you set RenameNameTemplate to:
My %s
then the new directory will be named My New Folder, and a blank new text file will get the name "My New Text Document.txt".
That's it. You should follow Windows file name limitations and not use any of the following characters in the RenameNameTemplate value:
\ / ? : * " > < |
Additionally, avoid these characters:
" ' *
For some reason, it also causes the unexpected Explorer behavior.
To restore the default behavior of File Explorer, just delete the RenameNameTemplate value. This tweak should also work in Windows 7 and Windows 8.
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Nice tip. :)
Now let’s prank someone by making his newly created folder called “Pr0n”. >:D
While the Rename name template works well for new folders, it screws up batch rename in Windows Explorer :D
Hi, just wondering, a bit off topic though, for example, in Windows Japanese version do the default “New Folder” name also in Japanese?
yes it is
nice tips,
but how to set the default name with current date
what is the variable?
I doubt that it is possible.
doesn’t work now. maybe it never did.
Which version of Windows 10 you are running?
I have a question.
how did you understand that you should do this to change folder name?
Sysinternals Procmon.