When we refer to Windows File Explorer , we are talking about a system application that we use on a daily basis. This helps us to manage the files and folders that we have stored in the disk drives.
So we can copy, paste, move or delete files and folders in a simple way. For this we have several menus and functions that will be very useful to us. But in order to handle Explorer in the most fluid way, say that it is full of keyboard shortcuts. What’s more, we can almost say that we have the possibility of starting File Explorer and using it completely with the keyboard, starting by opening it with Win + E.
But of course, once we have it running on the screen, at the same time we have at our disposal a good number of internal shortcuts to use it. This will allow us to take advantage of its multiple functions, but without having to use the mouse.
Basic keyboard shortcuts for using Explorer in Windows
We can use the arrows to select files and folders, in addition to pressing Enter to access all of it. Likewise, to enlarge a certain section such as This PC , we only have to go to it and press the right arrow key. If we want to select a file or folder, start writing its name to go directly. To go to the first or last file of, we press the Home or End keys.
If what we need is to go up one level, press Alt + Up Arrow, and to update a folder and its content, F5. To put the focus on the bar at the top of the Explorer press Ctrl + L, while for the search box we click on Ctrl + F. Changing the third, when selecting a range of files, we hold down the Shift key and we use the arrow keys. We can also use Ctrl + A to select all the files in the folder. Likewise, to select several files we hold the Ctrl key and use the arrows to highlight other files or folders , pressing the space to add them to the selection.
To rename a file or folder, we select it and press F2, while we can create a new folder in the current one with Ctrl + Shift + N.
Copy, paste and delete files with shortcuts
Surely many of you know that with Ctrl + C we copy a file, with Ctrl + X we cut it and with Ctrl + V we paste them in another location . To this we can add that to undo an action we press Ctrl + Z, while to redo it Ctrl + Y. To delete a selected file, we use Delete and to make them permanently, in going through the Trash we press, Shift + Delete.
To open the context menu of the selected elements, we use Shift + F10 and the Properties window of an element, with Alt + Enter. We open the preview panel of the selected file with Alt + P.
Other useful shortcuts for File Explorer
If what we want is to open the details panel that shows the details of the file , we can do it with Alt + Shift + P. Meanwhile, to open a new File Explorer window we do it with Ctrl + N, and to close the current one, press Ctrl + W. Also, if we want to open the help, we just have to press the Alt key, when the letters appear on the menu buttons , we can press Alt + the corresponding letter. We can use Alt + H, Alt + S or Alt + V to select the Home, Share or View tabs.