
To streamline your tasks on a Windows environment, you can use batch files to automate folder creation. In this article, we will explore the most effective command for folder creation—mkdir
(or md
), and provide a step-by-step guide to creating batch files, complete with illustrations. Whether you’re a programming beginner or an experienced user, this guide will help you easily automate folder creation.
What is the mkdir
Command?
The mkdir
command (short for make directory) and its shorthand version md
are used to create folders in the Windows Command Prompt. Both commands perform the same function, allowing users to create directories either manually or through automation with batch files.
Key Features:
- Create single or multiple folders at once
- Specify paths to create folders in any location
- Automate folder creation using batch files
How to Create a Folder Using the Command Prompt
Instead of manually creating folders, you can use the Command Prompt for quick and efficient folder creation. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Open the Command Prompt

- Open the Start Menu.
- Type cmd and select Command Prompt to launch it.
Step 2: Execute the mkdir
Command
To create a folder, type the following command:
mkdir FolderName
Example:
mkdir NewFolder
This command will create a folder named “NewFolder” in the current directory.
Steps to Create Folders with a Batch File
A batch file allows you to execute multiple commands automatically. Here’s how you can create a batch file to automate folder creation:
Step 1: Create a Text File

- Right-click on your Desktop and select New → Text Document.
Step 2: Save as a Batch File
- Right-click on the created text file and select Rename.
- Change the file name to
create_folders.bat
and press Enter.
- By changing the extension to
.bat
, the file becomes a batch file.
Step 3: Edit the Batch File
- Right-click on the
create_folders.bat
file and select Edit. - Enter the following content:
@echo off
mkdir Folder1
mkdir Folder2
mkdir Folder3
echo Folder creation is complete.
pause
- Save and close the file.
Step 4: Run the Batch File
- Double-click the
create_folders.bat
file. - The specified folders will be created, and a confirmation message will appear.
Creating Multiple Folders at Once
Using the mkdir
command, you can create multiple folders in a single line by separating folder names with spaces:
mkdir FolderA FolderB FolderC
You can add this to your batch file to create multiple folders simultaneously.
Creating Folders in Parent or Subdirectories
The mkdir
command also allows you to create folders in higher directories or subdirectories.
Creating a Folder in the Parent Directory
mkdir ..\NewFolder
The ..
indicates the parent directory. This command creates the folder “NewFolder” one level up from the current directory.
Creating Subfolders
mkdir MainFolder\SubFolder
This command creates “SubFolder” inside “MainFolder” in the current directory.
Handling Encoding Issues with Folder Names
When creating folders with non-ASCII characters (like Japanese), you may encounter encoding issues. To prevent this, save your batch file with ANSI encoding.
Steps:
- Right-click the batch file and select Edit.
- In Notepad, go to File → Save As.
- Under Encoding, select ANSI and save the file.
This ensures that folder names in non-ASCII characters won’t appear garbled.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explained how to create folders using the mkdir
command and automate the process with batch files. From basic folder creation in the Command Prompt to automating tasks with batch files, we covered everything you need to know, including handling encoding issues. Apply these techniques to streamline your daily tasks and improve efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What’s the difference between mkdir
and md
?
A1: There’s no functional difference between mkdir
and md
; both commands are used to create directories. md
is simply a shorter version of mkdir
and is often more convenient to use.
Q2: Do I need admin privileges to run batch files for folder creation?
A2: You typically do not need admin privileges to create folders with a batch file. However, if you’re trying to create folders in system-protected directories, you may need administrator permissions.
Q3: How do I create folders with spaces in the name?
A3: If your folder name contains spaces, enclose the name in quotation marks:
mkdir "New Folder"
Q4: How can I conditionally create folders in a batch file?
A4: You can use an if
statement in your batch file to conditionally create folders. For example, if a folder doesn’t exist, you can create it as follows:
if not exist "FolderName" (
mkdir "FolderName"
)
Q5: How do I handle errors in a batch file?

A5: You can use the ERRORLEVEL
variable to check for errors and handle them accordingly. For instance:
mkdir "FolderName"
if %ERRORLEVEL% neq 0 (
echo Failed to create the folder.
exit /b %ERRORLEVEL%
)
Batch files provide a convenient way to automate folder creation, helping you save time and effort. By following this guide, you can easily set up your own batch file to create folders efficiently!

Thank you for reading!
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