Using keyboard shortcuts in Windows Explorer

You do not always have to use the mouse. The Windows Explorer can also be operated via keyboard shortcuts. We list the most used and most useful key combinations below.

First of all, we open the File Explorer with the shortcut Windows key +E.

Then operate the Explorer with these key combinations:

• Alt+D
  Select the address bar.
• Ctrl+E
  Select the search box. (After that, you can immediately type a search query.)
• Ctrl+F
  Select the search box. (After that, you can immediately type a search query.)
• Ctrl+N
  Opens a new window.
• Ctrl+W
  Close the Explorer.
• Ctrl+Mousewheel
  Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons.
• Ctrl+Shift+N
  Create new folder within current folder. Then immediately type the name of the new folder and then press the Enter key.
• Alt+P
  Display the preview window. Press this key combination again to close the preview window.
• Alt+Right Arrow
  Display the next folder.
• Alt+up arrow
  View the folder where the folder was located.
• Alt+Left Arrow
  View the previous folder.
• backspace
  View the previous folder.
• Right arrow
  Display the current selection (if collapsed) or select the first subfolder.
• Left arrow
  Collapse the current selection (if expanded) or select the folder the folder was in.
• end
  Display the bottom of the active window.
• Home
  Display the top of the active window.
• F11
  Maximize the Explorer. Press this key again to return the Explorer to its original size.