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The File Explorer used to be called the Windows Explorer, but in Windows 8, it got a new name. In Windows 10, it has more features. Since you’ll use the File Explorer to find, manage, and otherwise explore your files, you might as well make it as easy as possible. Here are some tips, like useful keyboard shortcuts, that will help you get the most out of the new File Explorer. Everything is better when you use keyboard shortcuts. By far the most useful keyboard shortcut is Windows key + E, which opens a new File Explorer window. If you’ve ever tried to move or copy files between two folders, you’ll know why this shortcut is a lifesaver.
Find out how to use keyboard shortcuts to move quickly through folders, make it easy to copy and paste files, and start programs with a single keystroke. Learn how to easily rename, delete, and organize your files and folders without ever touching the mouse. From making new folders to looking for files, these shortcuts will change the way you work with files.
Best File Explorer Shortcuts
Utilizing shortcuts on the keyboard makes it simple to select and deselect items, as well as navigate between folders and files. This is very necessary for any actions that require the duplication, relocation, or deletion of several items.By using shortcuts on the keyboard, rather than using the mouse or scrolling through menus, you may complete file management activities much more quickly. When working with a big number of files and folders, the time savings afforded by this feature becomes very valuable.
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Alt + D | Focus the address bar |
Backspace | Go back to the previous folder |
Alt + Left Arrow | Go back to the previous folder |
Alt + Right Arrow | Go forward to the next folder |
F11 | Toggle full-screen mode |
Selection Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl + A | Select all items |
Ctrl + Click | Select multiple non-consecutive items |
Shift + Click | Select a range of items |
Ctrl + Space | Select or deselect an item |
File/Folder Manipulation Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl + C | Copy selected item(s) |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected item(s) |
Ctrl + V | Paste copied/cut item(s) |
Ctrl + Z | Undo the last action |
Shift + Delete | Delete selected item(s) permanently (bypass Recycle Bin) |
F2 | Rename selected item |
Ctrl + N | Open a new File Explorer window |
Alt + Enter | View properties of the selected item |
Search Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl + F | Open search bar to search for items |
F3 | Find next occurrence of the search term |
F3 + Shift | Find previous occurrence of the search term |
Ctrl + E | Highlight the search bar |
Esc | Clear search bar |
Best File Explorer Shortcuts for Different Platforms
Common file actions, including as copying, cutting, pasting, renaming, and deleting files and folders, are made easier with the use of keyboard shortcuts. These tasks don’t require you to use context menus because they can be completed in a hurry on their own.It is possible to use keyboard shortcuts in many different file explorers to generate new files and folders, which might help you save time when you are organizing your data.
Windows File Explorer Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl + C | Copy selected items |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected items |
Ctrl + V | Paste copied/cut items |
Ctrl + Z | Undo last action |
Ctrl + Y | Redo last undone action |
Ctrl + A | Select all items |
Ctrl + D | Deselect selected items |
Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
Ctrl + W | Close the current window |
F2 | Rename selected item |
Del | Delete selected item(s) |
Alt + Left Arrow | Go back to previous folder |
Alt + Right Arrow | Go forward to next folder |
Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
macOS Finder Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Command + C | Copy selected items |
Command + X | Cut selected items |
Command + V | Paste copied/cut items |
Command + Z | Undo last action |
Command + Shift + Z | Redo last undone action |
Command + A | Select all items |
Command + D | Deselect selected items |
Command + N | Open a new Finder window |
Command + W | Close the current window |
Return | Rename selected item |
Command + Delete | Move selected item to Trash |
Command + Up Arrow | Open parent folder |
Command + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
Linux (GNOME Files) Shortcuts:
Shortcut | Description |
---|---|
Ctrl + C | Copy selected items |
Ctrl + X | Cut selected items |
Ctrl + V | Paste copied/cut items |
Ctrl + Z | Undo last action |
Ctrl + Y | Redo last undone action |
Ctrl + A | Select all items |
Ctrl + D | Deselect selected items |
Ctrl + N | Open a new window |
Ctrl + W | Close the current window |
F2 | Rename selected item |
Del | Delete selected item(s) |
Alt + Up Arrow | Open parent folder |
Ctrl + Shift + N | Create a new folder |
Question and Answers
To open Windows File Explorer, press the Windows key + E on the keyboard. To move around in File Explorer, you can use the Tab key and the arrow keys together. The tab key moves you between File Explorer’s sections, and the up, down, left, and right arrow keys move you within each section.
F3: Find files quickly in File Explorer. F4: In File Explorer, bring up the address bar. F5: Reload the current window. F6: Move through elements (tab, buttons, search bar, etc.)
Use File Explorer to search: Open File Explorer from the taskbar or by right-clicking on the Start menu and choosing File Explorer. Then, choose a location from the left pane to search or browse. For example, you can choose This PC to look in all of the devices and drives on your computer, or you can choose Documents to only look in that folder for files.