Help! I can't make a new folder! What's the deal here?

1. Check for viruses with Malwarebytes.

2. Open cmd.exe with Run as Administrator and run SFC /SCANNOW.  Allow to complete, restart and test.

3. If no results from 1 and 2, make a new, test Windows User Profile (Account). Log into the new Windows Account and test New Folder.

Any results from the above?

Does this button/shortcut key work from within the parent folder?

this is normal; when you right click on c:\windows there is no option to create a folder but if you double click on C:\Windows and see the list of folders under C:\Windows on the right then click on that white space and you will see the "New" which has the "folder" option under it. Further if you right click on C:\Windows when it is listed on the left under the list of folders there then when you click on it it will have a "new" folder option there. It is only when it is listed on the right pane will all the other folder under C:\ that it does not (just tested it on my Windows 10 system--had the same thing). Alternatively you can go to a cmd prompt and type md c:\windows\new-folder-name; make sure is is an admin command prompt or else you will get an access denied error

I wanted to create a new folder, as I have hundreds of time before

I assumed the author knows the process well.

Lionel MM: there is no "new" on the list where you say it is. End of that attempt.

Shaun: CTRL+SHIFT+N does nothing at all.

John: followed your steps to the letter and also, no results at all.

Any other possible solutions?

You need now to consider a Windows 7 Repair Install. You need the Windows 7 DVD or a working Recovery Partition.  Here is a Tutorial to assist.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Shaun: CTRL+SHIFT+N does nothing at all.

And clicking the button?

Shaun, I hate to come across as a really clueless user, but WHAT button are you talking about? I don't have anything close to your picture to click on, the way my system is configured.

The one in my screenshot above

Please right click where you are trying to make a new folder then take a screenshot and send that in for us to see what you are seeing so we can help you better. see my screenshots provided EE-1.jpg how I went to C:\ (my computer) then right clicked on folder Windows and there is no "new" -- that's normal. However (see EE-2 attached) when if I opened C:\Windows then right clicked (anywhere--no particular folder) and the new folder option is there. Can you provide the same screenshots please--thanks.
EE-1.jpg
EE-2.jpg

What we have here is a massive difference in...something.

Here is the closest I can come to  your EE-1.jpg:

OK, let's try this again......Experts exchange THINKS their instructions are simple, but apparently not.


First Screenshot
C-Shot-2.jpg

And since NOTHING appeared on the EE page to let me continue, here's my comment at this time.  Look at the second screenshot and note that I placed the cursor on the "New Folder" button. When I click on it, nothing happens.

Your turn.

Shaun, you get the points! And I appreciate your help and patience.

Now, there was one small, odd glitch in the solution: I copied your instructions and save the info into Notepad. However, I could not get it to run, although I made sure to follow your directions cleanly and clearly.  So, I did another search (having done one before posting this problem to EE) and found this website and page:

 https://www.askvg.com/how-to-restore-missing-new-menuitem-in-desktop-and-explorer-context-menu/

It essentially had the info you posted, PLUS a ready-to-run mini-program which I downloaded and ran.

About 3 seconds later: problem solved.

So in a little roundabout way,  your solution posted here got the job done (and FAST, I should add), do you get the points.

Thanks to all who posted. Always good to get as much info as possible from sources other than Microsoft when searching for a fix. (I'll include them as well when they learn to speak English instead of Geek Computerese.)

See my last comment post for my closing comment