Windows File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
Microsoft publishes a dedicated File Explorer section in its current Windows keyboard shortcut reference. This map covers navigation, tabs, search, panes, and file actions.
Windows · 29 shortcutsFile Explorer
Use these commands to open folders, move through the file tree, and control the current window.
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Focus the address bar | AltD |
| Focus search | CtrlE |
| Focus search | CtrlF |
| Open a new File Explorer window | CtrlN |
| Close the active window | CtrlW |
| Display all folders above the selected folder | CtrlShiftE |
| Create a new folder | CtrlShiftN |
| Show or hide the preview pane | AltP |
| Open the selected item properties | AltEnter |
| Go to the next folder | AltRight Arrow |
| Go to the parent folder | AltUp Arrow |
| Go to the previous folder | AltLeft Arrow |
| Go to the previous location | Backspace |
| Expand the selected folder and select its first subfolder | Right Arrow |
| Collapse the selected folder or select its parent folder | Left Arrow |
| Go to the top of the window | Home |
| Go to the bottom of the window | End |
| Maximize or minimize the active window | F11 |
Tabs and items
These current Windows commands work with File Explorer tabs and selected files or folders.
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Open a new tab | CtrlT |
| Move to the next tab | CtrlTab |
| Move to the previous tab | CtrlShiftTab |
| Rename the selected item | F2 |
| Search for a file or folder | F3 |
| Focus the address bar | F4 |
| Refresh the active window | F5 |
| Cycle through screen elements | F6 |
| Display all subfolders | Num Lock+ |
| Collapse the selected folder | Num Lock- |
| Display all subfolders under the selected folder | Num Lock* |