File Explorer Shortcuts
| Press this key: | To do this action: |
|---|---|
| Alt + D | Select the address bar. |
| Alt + Enter | Display properties for the selected item. |
| Alt + Left arrow Backspace | Navigate to the previous folder. |
| Alt + mouse drag a file | When you drop the file, create a shortcut to the original file in that location. |
| Alt + P | Show or hide the preview pane. |
| Alt + Right arrow | View the next folder. |
| Alt + Shift + P | Show or hide the details pane. |
| Alt + Up arrow | Move up a level in the folder path. |
| Ctrl + Arrow key (to move to an item) + Spacebar | Select multiple individual items. |
| Ctrl + D Delete | Delete the selected item and move it to the Recycle Bin. |
| Ctrl + E Ctrl + F | Select the search box. |
| Ctrl + L | Focus on the address bar. |
| Ctrl + mouse drag a file | When you drop the file, create a copy in that location. |
| Ctrl + mouse scroll wheel | Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons. |
| Ctrl + N | Open a new window. |
| Ctrl + Number (1-9) | Move to that tab number. |
| Ctrl + Plus (+) | Resize all columns to fit text. Note: This shortcut requires using a numeric keypad. |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Expands all folders from the tree in the navigation pane. |
| Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder. |
| Ctrl + Shift + Number (1-9) | Change the view style. For example, 2 is Large icons and 6 is Details. |
| Ctrl + Shift + Tab | Move to the previous tab. |
| Ctrl + T | Open a new tab and switch to it. |
| Ctrl + W | Closes the active tab. Closes the window if there's only one tab open. |
| Ctrl + Tab | Move to the next tab. |
| End | Scroll to the bottom of the active window. |
| F2 | Rename the selected item. |
| F3 | Search for a file or folder. |
| F4 | Select the address bar to change the current path. |
| F5 | Refresh the window. |
| F6 | Cycle through elements in the window. |
| F11 | Maximize or minimize the active window. |
| Home | Scroll to the top of the active window. |
| Left arrow | Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in. |
| Right arrow | Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder. |
| Shift + Arrow keys | Select multiple items. |
| Shift + Delete | Permanently delete the selected item without moving it to the Recycle Bin. |
| Shift + F10 | Display the context menu for the selected item. |
| Shift + mouse drag a file | When you drop the file, move it to that location. |
| Shift + mouse right-click | Display the Show more options context menu for the selected item. |
| ⊞ + E | Open File Explorer. |