Windows File Explorer keyboard shortcuts cheat sheet
Microsoft · 54 shortcuts54 Windows File Explorer shortcuts grouped by task. Click any row for the full answer page.
Essentials
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Copy | Ctrl+CCtrlC |
| Paste | Ctrl+VCtrlV |
| Cut | Ctrl+XCtrlX |
| Undo | Ctrl+ZCtrlZ |
| Redo | Ctrl+YCtrlY |
| Select all | Ctrl+ACtrlA |
| Rename selected item | F2F2 |
| Delete to Recycle Bin | DeleteDelete |
| Delete permanently | Shift+DeleteShiftDelete |
| Refresh window | F5F5 |
| Open File Explorer | Win+EWinE |
| Show properties | Alt+EnterAlt↵ |
Navigation
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Go back | Alt+LeftAlt← |
| Go forward | Alt+RightAlt→ |
| Go up one level | Alt+UpAlt↑ |
| Go to previous folder | Backspace⌫ |
| Select address bar | Alt+DAltD |
| Select search box | Ctrl+ECtrlE |
| Search for file or folder | F3F3 |
| Show address bar list | F4F4 |
| Cycle through screen elements | F6F6 |
| Jump to top of window | HomeHome |
| Jump to bottom of window | EndEnd |
| Expand selected folder | Right→ |
| Collapse selected folder | Left← |
Windows and tabs
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Open new window | Ctrl+NCtrlN |
| Close active window | Ctrl+WCtrlW |
| Create new folder | Ctrl+Shift+NCtrlShiftN |
| Show all folders above selected | Ctrl+Shift+ECtrlShiftE |
| Toggle preview pane | Alt+PAltP |
| Maximize or minimize window | F11F11 |
| Show context menu | Shift+F10ShiftF10 |
| Activate menu bar | F10F10 |
Windows system
| Action | Windows |
|---|---|
| Switch between apps | Alt+TabAlt⇥ |
| Close active app | Alt+F4AltF4 |
| Open Task Manager | Ctrl+Shift+EscCtrlShiftEsc |
| Open Start | Ctrl+EscCtrlEsc |
| Lock PC | Win+LWinL |
| Show desktop | Win+DWinD |
| Minimize all windows | Win+MWinM |
| Take partial screenshot | Win+Shift+SWinShiftS |
| Open clipboard history | Win+VWinV |
| Open Run dialog | Win+RWinR |
| Open Settings | Win+IWinI |
| Open search | Win+SWinS |
| Open Task view | Win+TabWin⇥ |
| Open emoji panel | Win+.Win. |
| Snap window left | Win+LeftWin← |
| Snap window right | Win+RightWin→ |
| Maximize window | Win+UpWin↑ |
| Minimize or restore window | Win+DownWin↓ |
| Move window to other monitor | Win+Shift+LeftWinShift← |
| Open Quick Link menu | Win+XWinX |
| Capture whole screen | PrtScnPrtScn |
More operating systems shortcuts
Ask your agent
Prompt
Make me a one-page Windows File Explorer cheat sheet from the 54 shortcuts at https://keyflowhub.com/shortcuts/file-explorer, ordered by what I'm most likely to use, and point out any that clash with my current keybindings.
Paste into Claude Code and it will do the rest.
Questions
Windows: Ctrl + Z.
Windows: Ctrl + Y.
Windows: Win + Shift + S.
Sources: support.microsoft.com