Windows File Explorer keyboard shortcuts
File Explorer is where you browse, open, and manage files and folders on Windows. Its keys focus the address bar and search, open windows and tabs, move between tabs, and rename items.
Windows · 28 shortcutsFile Explorer
Use these commands to open folders, move through the file tree, and control the current window.
| Action | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Focus the address bar | Alt + D |
| Focus search | Ctrl + EorCtrl + F |
| Open a new File Explorer window | Ctrl + N |
| Close the active window | Ctrl + W |
| Display all folders above the selected folder | Ctrl + Shift + E |
| Create a new folder | Ctrl + Shift + N |
| Show or hide the preview pane | Alt + P |
| Open the selected item properties | Alt + Enter |
| Go to the next folder | Alt + Right Arrow |
| Go to the parent folder | Alt + Up Arrow |
| Go to the previous folder | Alt + Left 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 | Shortcuts |
|---|---|
| Open a new tab | Ctrl + T |
| Move to the next tab | Ctrl + Tab |
| Move to the previous tab | Ctrl + Shift + Tab |
| 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 then + |
| Collapse the selected folder | Num Lock then - |
| Display all subfolders under the selected folder | Num Lock then * |
Source
official Microsoft Windows keyboard shortcuts · Checked
Microsoft Windows keyboard shortcuts checked September 1, 2026. The source applies to Windows 10 and Windows 11, and some commands depend on the focused File Explorer pane.