Windows File Explorer can be used almost entirely from the keyboard. Discover all the essential keyboard shortcuts to use it like a pro.
It is used daily and yet Windows File Explorer is far from being used to its full capacity by the majority of users. While there are many tricks and hidden features to master Windows 10 File Explorer, the keyboard shortcuts that are associated with this key Microsoft operating system tool can, when fully mastered, greatly simplify its operation. use. In the following lines, you will discover all the keyboard shortcuts you need to know to master File Explorer at your fingertips.
Shortcuts for navigating in the explorer
- Windows + E: Open File Explorer
- Ctrl + N: Open a new File Explorer window
- Ctrl + W: Close the active window
- Ctrl + F or Ctrl + E or F3: Activate the search field
- Ctrl + L or Alt + D or F4: select the path
- Alt + right arrow: Navigate to the next folder
- Alt + left arrow or Backspace: Navigate to the previous folder
- Alt + up arrow: Navigate to the parent folder
- Diagonal arrow / End: Go up or down to the very bottom of the window
Shortcuts for handling files
- Ctrl + Shift + N: Create a new folder
- F2: Rename folder or file
- Alt + Enter: Open the properties of the selected file or directory
- Ctrl + A: Select all elements
- Ctrl + C: Copy selected items
- Ctrl + X: Cut selected elements
- Ctrl + V: Paste copied or cut elements
Shortcuts to manage the display
- Ctrl + mouse wheel: Change the display and presentation size of files
- Ctrl + Shift + 1: Show very large icons
- Ctrl + Shift + 2: Show large icons
- Ctrl + Shift + 3: Show medium icons
- Ctrl + Shift + 4: Show small icons
- Ctrl + Shift + 5: Show items as a list
- Ctrl + Shift + 6: Show items as a list with detailed information
- Ctrl + Shift + 7: Show elements in mosaic view
- Ctrl + Shift + 8: Show items in Content view
- F11: Enlarge or reduce the window
- Alt + P: show preview pane