By Marlo Anderson – The Tech Ranch
Looking for a file and clicking through the Start menu to get there? Press Windows key + E. File Explorer opens right away, starting with your pinned folders and the files you used most recently.
The Shortcut
- Windows key + E: opens File Explorer
- Home shows your pinned folders and recent files
- Works on Windows 10 and Windows 11
Bonus Tip: Alt + Up Goes Up a Folder
Deep in a folder inside a folder? Press Alt + Up Arrow to jump up one level. Alt + Left Arrow goes back to where you were, just like a browser’s back button. In a Mac’s Finder, ⌘ + Up Arrow goes up a folder.
More Keyboard Shortcuts, Explained
This is part of my Keyboard Shortcuts Explained series: quick, plain-English tips that make everyday computer work faster. Watch the whole series on YouTube and subscribe to The Tech Ranch so you don’t miss the next one. Short on time? Here’s the quick Short version.
Found this helpful? Give the video a thumbs up on YouTube. Got a shortcut you can’t live without? Tell me in the YouTube comments and it might show up in a future video.
