Other than Quick Access, File Explorer (called Windows Explorer in earlier versions) has not received any major new features in Windows 10 largely because Microsoft seems to be interested in launching a modern version of the File Explorer app rather than updating the classic Windows Explorer.
Windows Explorer or File Explorer is the default file browser in Windows operating system. File Explorer in Windows 10/11 offers a total of eight views: Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles, and Content.
In Windows 10/11 File Explorer, one can quickly switch to details or large icons view by clicking respective icons located at the bottom right of the File Explorer. To select between these eight views, you need to click the View tab and then choose one of the views.
Now, if you prefer using keyboard shortcuts over mouse or touchpad, you will be happy to know that you can use keyboard shortcuts to switch between File Explorer views in Windows 10/11. For instance, you can switch to the list view by simultaneously pressing Ctrl, Shift, and 5 keys (Ctrl + Shift + 5).
Change File Explorer view using keyboard shortcuts
Important: It’s important to note that these keyboard shortcuts to change the File Explorer view might not work in the newly introduced File Explorer app, at least for now.
The following are the keyboard shortcuts to change the File Explorer view in Windows 10/11.
NOTE: These keyboard shortcuts work in the new Windows 11 as well.
Ctrl + Shift + 1 – Extra-large icons
Ctrl + Shift + 2 – Large icons
Ctrl + Shift + 3 – Medium icons
Ctrl + Shift + 4 – Small icons
Ctrl + Shift + 5 – List view
Ctrl + Shift + 6 – Details view
Ctrl + Shift + 7 – Tiles
Ctrl + Shift + 8 – Content
Change the File Explorer view using Ctrl + mouse scroll
If you do not remember the keyboard shortcuts, you can hold down the Ctrl key and then scroll down/up the mouse wheel to switch between the views.
Did you know that there are over 10 new keyboard shortcuts in Windows 10? Also, you can use Ctrl + F1 hotkey to minimize or expand the File Explorer ribbon.
Shawn Radler says
thank you!
admin says
Jay Chong, thanks for the heads up. However, the old keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl + Shift) are still working in Windows 11 build 22000.556.
Jay Chong says
For those found not working, probably Windows Updated, so use “Ctrl” + “Alt” (NOT “Ctrl” + “Shift”).
Works for Windows 11 (latest update) – 6 April 2022.
It’s really annoying update.
JustAReader says
The keyboard shortcuts in the main article work fine for me. Thanks!
admin says
Arshit, the keyboard shortcuts that I have posted in the guide still work. Working well on 20H2.
Arshit Vaghasiya says
Above shortcut is for older versions of Win10 (i don’t remember the exact version from which they have changed the keys)
.
For newer version of the Win10:
Use ‘Left Alt’ key instead of ‘Shift’ key.
So the shortcut key will be,
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 1 – Extra-large icons
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 2 – Large icons
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 3 – Medium icons
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 4 – Small icons
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 5 – List view
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 6 – Details view
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 7 – Tiles
Ctrl + Alt (Left) + 8 – Content
admin says
Tom, I am really surprised as very recently I tried all shortcuts mentioned in the article just to make sure that they are working (after getting many negative comments), and they all worked on Windows 10 version 1909. In the past also, many have said that they are not working. I am not sure why.
Tom says
Doesn’t work on my copy of Windows 10 Home
Ctrl-Alt-# works perfectly
I guess this is one of those times that the answer is in the comments :)
Tomi says
Ummm…. I think this is a +1 :)
admin says
I am surprised that some of the keys are not working for you guys. I just checked again. All keyboard shortcuts are working. I am trying this on a laptop.
HARLEY FICKE says
Ctrl-Shift-# works but not the number pad. it has to be the numbers at the top of the regular keyboard.
Jave Faith says
looks like it’s ctrl+alt+#
Sebastien Lormier says
Ctrl+shift works for me on Windows 10 home.
Ted Taylor says
Your Ctrl+Shift list above does not work on my version of Windows 10. It annoys me when people gaily publish unresearched garbage on these sites. Please correct your errors.