Every Windows version features a number of useful shortcuts for File Explorer. With each new release of Windows, Explorer has gained new keyboard shortcuts. In this article, I would like to share the full list of shortcuts available in File Explorer. These hotkeys can help you save time and increase productivity. Here we go.
Win + E - Open Explorer.
Esc - Cancel file operation.
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F2 - Rename.
F2, then Tab - Fast Rename mode.
F3, Ctrl + E or Ctrl + F - Search Box.
F4 - Drop down the address bar.
F5 - Refresh.
F6 - Move focus between various elements - Command bar/Ribbon, Navigation pane and File pane.
F10 - Menu Bar (Windows 7 only).
F11 - Toggle Fullscreen.
Home - Move selection to beginning.
End - Move selection to end.
Up/Down arrow keys - Move selection up, down.
Left/Right arrow keys - Expand/collapse folder in navigation pane, move selection left/right in file pane.
* - Expand folder and all subfolders in navigation pane (Use with caution).
Shift + F10 or Menu key - Right click.
Del - Delete.
Shift + Delete - Delete without moving to Recycle Bin.
Enter - Open file.
Alt + Enter - Properties.
Ctrl + X - Cut.
Ctrl + C - Copy.
Ctrl + V - Paste.
Ctrl + W or Alt+F4 - Close window.
Ctrl + Z - Undo.
Ctrl + Y - Redo.
Ctrl + A - Select all.
Ctrl + N - New window.
Ctrl + Shift+N - New folder.
Alt + P - Preview pane toggle.
Alt + Shift +P - Details pane toggle (Windows 8 and later).
Ctrl + + - Resize all columns to fit in details view. Works in Explorer, Registry editor and many third party apps..
Ctrl + Shift + 1 - Extra Large Icons.
Ctrl + Shift + 2 - Large Icons.
Ctrl + Shift + 3 - Medium Icons.
Ctrl + Shift + 4 - Small Icons.
Ctrl + Shift + 5 - List.
Ctrl + Shift + 6 - Details.
Ctrl + Shift + 7 - Tiles.
Ctrl + Shift + 8 - Content.
Alt + Up - Up one level.
Alt + Left or Backspace - Back.
Alt + Right - Forward.
Alt + D - Move focus to address bar.
Ctrl + Shift + E - Show in navigation pane the parent folder of the folder selected in file pane.
Ctrl + F1 - Show/hide Ribbon.
Let us know if you want to add some missing keyboard shortcut and tell us if you discovered any new ones from this article.
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Hi, it doesn’t work ALT+D for focusing address field, do you know why?
Windows 10 (1511)
I have no idea.
Maybe you have some third party app which enhanced Explorer but affected this keyboard shortcut?
—-
In English Alt+D comes from the mnemonic for “A_d_dress”, which used to be the label in Windows XP. If
there was a different label in Italian, it will be a different letter you need to use.
From here: http://sourceforge.net/p/classicshell/discussion/1049756/thread/240a6488/
The Ctrl+Shift 1,2 etc to toggle views (large, small icons, details etc) don’t work on my Win10 x64 computer.
However, Alt+Shift 1,2,3 etc does work.
Simon
No I haven’t, I’m trying it in another PC with Win7 64-bit, same result.
I’m using an italian keyboard and I have used all this combinations with no result:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_keyboard_shortcuts
Thanks.
Woot! Learned a couple of new ones today!
Would like to add that Ctrl + L works exactly as Alt+ D
CTRL+L it works.
Thanks
Professor,
how can it be that there is no shortcut for moving files ?