One of my favorite tools to improve my computer usage is the use of keyboard shortcuts. Shortcuts are the result of pressing a specific combination of keyboard keys that has a specific process attached to it. This can be as simple as pressing the Windows key to open the Start menu or using the Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste. Discovering the right keystroke combination for your workflow can help you become a faster, more powerful, and proficient Windows 10 user.
We have covered shortcuts multiple times before. In one article we cover some of Windows 10's newest keystroke shortcuts. In another tip we covered over 60 keystroke shortcuts that utilize the Windows key as the basis of implementing the shortcut. One might think that these are all of the shortcuts available. However, if using Windows has taught me anything, there is always more that you can expect.
Windows includes a series of specific File Explorer shortcuts that help in navigating around your system. These shortcuts can help with everything from opening File Explorer windows to searching. Below is a list covering these File Explorer shortcuts.
| Shortcut | Result | |
|---|---|---|
| Alt+D | Select the address bar | |
| Ctrl+E | Select the search box | |
| Ctrl+F | Select the search box | |
| Ctrl+N | Open a new window | |
| Ctrl+W | Close the active window | |
| Ctrl+Mouse Scroll Wheel | Change the size and appearance of file and folder icons | |
| Ctrl+Shift + E | Display all folders above the selected folder | |
| Ctrl+Shift + N | Create a new folder | |
| Num Lock+asterisk (*) | Display all subfolders under the selected folder | |
| Num Lock+plus (+) | Display the contents of the selected folder | |
| Num Lock+minus (-) | Collapse the selected folder | |
| Alt+P | Display the preview panel | |
| Alt+Enter | Open the Properties dialog box for the selected item | |
| Alt+Right Arrow | View the next folder | |
| Alt+Up Arrow | View the folder that the folder was in | |
| Alt+Left Arrow | View the previous folder | |
| Backspace | View the previous folder | |
| Right Arrow | Display the current selection (if it's collapsed), or select the first subfolder | |
| Left Arrow | Collapse the current selection (if it's expanded), or select the folder that the folder was in | |
| End | Display the bottom of the active window | |
| Home | Display the top of the active window | |
| F2 | Rename selected item | |
| F3 (Ctrl+E or Ctrl+F) | Opens search box and selects it | |
| F4 | Switch focus to address bar | |
| F5 | Refresh the instance of File Explorer | |
| F5 | Refresh File Explorer's current view | |
| F6 | Cycle through elements on the screen | |
| F11 | Maximize or minimize the active window |
As with utilizing any keyboard shortcuts, you need to find the right combinations that help you with your frequent work. Test them out and find the ones that are easy for you to remember and implement into your workflow. By using the shortcuts one at a time you'll notice a nominal amount of time savings. However, the more you use them together the time savings can be significant.
This tip (7396) applies to Windows 10.
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Discover More2020-07-20 09:44:14
Andrew
And the one I just most often:
When in the Details view, Ctrl-+ (the + on the number pad) will expand all columns to show all information--particularly useful for longer file/folder names.
Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
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