
It's the same as using the left-pointing arrow. Simply hit Backspace to move to the previous folder. You will immediately be prompted to name the new folder. The shortcut for making a new folder is Crtl + Shift + N. When you are done with a File Explorer window (or any window, for that matter) just use Ctrl + W to close the selected window.Īnother option to close the window is Alt + F4. This is especially helpful when you are organizing files and moving them between various folders because you can simply drag them from window to window. Open a New Window with the Same FolderĬtrl + N will essentially duplicate the File Explorer window you are currently in. In either location, you can use your arrow keys to go up or down in the list of folders. ( Tab will move you back to the main window). Shift + Tab will move your selection from the files in the main window to the folder options in the left sidebar. Once your window is open, you may want to jump over to the Navigation Pane sidebar to navigate to pinned items in the Quick Access menu.
Window button shortcuts windows#
To open the File Explorer window, simply press the Windows button ⊞ + E.
Window button shortcuts windows 10#
These will work for both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Pressing spacebar on an item with a checkbox selected will deselect the item.įor more information on keyboard shortcuts and navigation consult Microsoft's Keyboard Assistance and Shortcuts web page for Windows Vista until Windows 8 and Windows 10 .Watch on YouTube & Subscribe to our Channel 12 Keyboard Shortcutsīelow are 12 of my favorite keyboard shortcuts to use when working with Windows File Explorer. Once you have landed on the desired choice, the spacebar will make a selection. Arrow keys allow the user to toggle between choices for items with a radio-button or checkbox. Drop down menus are activated with the down arrow.įorms can be navigated with the Tab key as well. For a particular file name or dialogue button it will have a faintly visible dashed-line rectangle to around the item to show it has the current focus. Otherwise, Windows provides a visual cue of where the focus is. Screen reading programs will read aloud the dialogue item you are currently focused on. Once you have landed on an area within the dialogue box, you may need to use the up, down, left, or right arrows to make a more specific choice. A Shift+Tab moves backwards in the navigation between those items. The Tab key will navigate through the various fields. The Open and Save dialogue boxes can be particularly intimidating to navigate by keyboard. Up and down arrow keys will move through those menus. Combining the Alt key and the underlined letter in those menu headings will open that menu. You can then navigate with the down-arrow.Īpplications that have met the Microsoft Windows accessibility standards follow a standard menu scheme with headings like File, Edit, View, and so on. If there are multiple menu items that begin with a particular letter, pressing that letter takes you to the first, top-most of those menu names. Pressing the “P” key takes you to the Program menu. Once you have arrived at the desired item, pressing the Enter key acts in the same way as a left-mouse click to make a choice.Īnother timesaver once the start menu is open is navigating by the first letter of the menu item.


The Esc key allows you to go back one step in the navigation process. These submenus may also branch out further into other submenus.

Those items with a submenu are visually indicated with a small black triangle/arrowhead. The up and down arrow keys allow you to move through the menu items.

The keyboard combination Ctrl+Esc also brings up this menu. Many keyboards have a Windows key which will bring up the start menu.
