With Windows 8, the File Explorer application got the Ribbon interface, which exposes all the possible commands for quick access to regular file management features. This is an improvement for all users, but especially for new users who were not familiar with all features of Windows Explorer and did not use them. The Ribbon UI is a way to discover all useful features for them.
One of the tabs in the Ribbon is the "View" tab. From there, you will be able to switch between various views inside the Explorer window - each view represents files and folders differently. In this tutorial, we will see how to switch between those views quickly, using very simple keyboard shortcuts.
In Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, you are able to press CTRL + SHIFT + <1,2,3....8> keys on your keyboard to switch between views! For your convenience, I have made a table which contains the keyboard shortcut you have to press to switch to the corresponding view.
| Shortcut | View in File Explorer |
|---|---|
| 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 |
That's it! Using these shortcuts, you can get the desired layout for files and folders in File Explorer and avoid frequently switching Ribbon tabs just to change the view. This is a really useful change in Explorer which saves your time and mouse clicks.
See the following video, if you have any questions:
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So this doesn’t work for Windows 7?
Yeah, that’s a pity.
In Windows 7, use ctrl+mouse scroll
It doesn’t work in my Windows 8.1 too O.O. Maybe this is because of Folder Options X function ’Column headers in all views“..
Quite possible. Never tried the F O X application.
Sorry Explorer views is not changing using Ctrl + Shift + (1,2,3,4,5,6,7) in Windows 8
Then something else is stealing your keystrokes because it works. Try with the other Shift and Ctrl keys on your keyboard (left or right side).
it is working fine with win 8.1 and win 10. but it is not with windows 8. I tried with different combination like left and right shift&control keys. I cannot able to arrive a shortcut.Can anyone help?