With default settings, files you download using a web browser such as Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge are automatically saved to the Downloads folder. Because all downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder, we often need to access the Downloads folder.
Because the Downloads folder is one of the most frequently accessed folders, macOS offers a dedicated keyboard shortcut to open it quickly. However, Windows 11 does not provide dedicated keyboard shortcuts to open the Downloads folder.
Although Windows 11 does not offer a dedicated keyboard shortcut to open the Downloads folder, it does offer an easy way to create a keyboard shortcut to open the Downloads folder.
This guide shows you how to create a keyboard shortcut to open the Downloads folder in Windows 11.
NOTE: When you assign a keyboard shortcut to the Downloads folder and use the same to open it, the Downloads folder might take a second or two to open. In other words, the Downloads folder will not open instantly upon pressing the keyboard shortcut.
Create your own keyboard shortcut to open the Downloads folder on Windows 11 PC
Step 1: Open this PC, Home, or any other folder.
Step 2: The left navigation pane of File Explorer shows the Downloads folder entry, among others. Right-click on the Downloads folder entry, click Show more options, click Send to, and then click Desktop (create shortcut) to create a shortcut for the Downloads folder on the Windows 11 desktop.
Step 3: Next, right-click on the newly created Downloads shortcut on the desktop and then click Properties.
Step 4: Under the Shortcut tab, select the Shortcut key field. Now, press the keyboard shortcut that you would like to use to open the Downloads folder. For instance, you can assign the Ctrl + Shift + D to open the Downloads folder.
Finally, click the Apply button.
NOTE: You cannot use the Windows logo key to assign a keyboard shortcut. Windows allows you to use the Ctrl, Alt, and Shift keys.
Step 5: From now on, you can use the newly created keyboard shortcut to open the Downloads folder.
As said earlier, the Downloads folder might take a second or two to open when using keyboard shortcuts. Lastly, do not delete the Downloads folder shortcut from the Desktop, as doing so will stop the keyboard shortcut from working.
If you do not want to see the Downloads folder shortcut on the desktop, right-click, click Properties, and then select the Hidden option (under the General tab) before clicking the Apply button. Windows will now hide the Downloads folder shortcut if you have selected the Don’t show hidden files and folders option in the File Explorer Options.
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