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ventura 13.1 OS, the create folder icon in finder is greyed out

I'm trying to create a folder on an external drive, and either the add folder icon in finder is greyed out, or the control-click function does not work to add a folder. Clicking all around either in the external drive, or all over the mac HD, the add folder icon is always greyed out. I'm on an M1 MacBook pro (new), ventura 13.1. For some reason it's not allowing me to choose ventura

MacBook Pro Apple Silicon

Posted on Jan 8, 2023 11:43 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jan 9, 2023 7:30 AM

Is the external drive formatted in NTFS (MS Windows Compatible format)?

You may need third party apps to support the read-write of NTFS file system.


You cannot add folder to the read-only system volume. (mac HD)

About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina or later - Apple Support


Your Home directory i.e, /Users/<username>/ should be read-write where you can add/modify/remove folders.

2 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jan 9, 2023 7:30 AM in response to cragsjo

Is the external drive formatted in NTFS (MS Windows Compatible format)?

You may need third party apps to support the read-write of NTFS file system.


You cannot add folder to the read-only system volume. (mac HD)

About the read-only system volume in macOS Catalina or later - Apple Support


Your Home directory i.e, /Users/<username>/ should be read-write where you can add/modify/remove folders.

Jan 9, 2023 9:30 AM in response to cragsjo

I had been using Avid Pro Tools with my dell laptop which had major issues. The external HD was loaded with Komplete music files for the Dell. So apparently even though the external HD is viewable by my MacBook pro M1 laptop, I just won't be able to modify it with the MacBook pro is what you are detailing? I guess I thought that I wouldn't be able to even see it in mac finder. That's a major pain because it's like 350 Gigs of info on the external HD used by the Dell. It's going to be a major pain in the neck because the 2 drives I purchased from Komplete, the USB2 port is poorly secured, and I actually broke it simply inserting the cable into the drive. Twice. And I still haven't been able to get Komplete (Native Instruments) to tell me if those drives will also install to an apple laptop!! I knew it would involve significant pain but....can you tell me what 3rd party apps would support the read-write NTFS file system that would be trustworthy? thank you

ventura 13.1 OS, the create folder icon in finder is greyed out

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