Win+E Shortcut Result

Windows 10 is filled with a great set of keyboard shortcuts. There are standard shortcut staples such as Copy and Paste (Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V respectively) to the less used shortcuts such as closing the current virtual desktop (Win+Ctrl+F4). Each shortcut is meant as a way to speed up how you use your computer, usually by eliminating a series of repetitious tasks. Once you become accustomed to these shortcuts, they almost become ingrained in your mind and you do them almost without having to put much thought into them. Once you're used to using them, you almost have to stop and think about how you did the task before learning the shortcut. Essentially, they become vital to using your computer quickly and efficiently.

One of my most-used shortcuts is the Win+E shortcut for opening a new Explorer window. This shortcut is great, as I can use it at any point while using any program that I have installed. (You never know if a program may override a shortcut while using that program.)

For me, when I use the shortcut I have it navigate to the "Quick Access" area. Personally, I prefer this as I can (as the name implies) quickly access certain points on my system. For others, however, they may want the Explorer window to pull up "This PC" when they use the shortcut. This is easy to set up and get running. Follow these steps:

1. Press the Windows key and type (without quotes) "File Explorer Options," then press Enter. This launches the File Explorer Options window.
2. Using the Open File Explorer To drop-down list, choose the setting you prefer: "Quick Access" or "This PC". (See Figure 1.)



Figure 1. Open File Explorer options of File Explorer Options window.

3. Click Apply. Your selection takes effect immediately once you close the File Explorer Options window.

Now when you use the Win+E shortcut your Explorer window will open to the location you specified, and you'll be able to get where you need to quicker.

 This tip (13757) applies to Windows 10.