Keyboard Shortcuts To Change File Explorer View In Windows 10

Other than the Quick Access, the File Explorer (called as 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 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 offers a total of eight views: Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles and Content.

In Windows 10 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. 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 File Explorer view might not work in the newly introduced File Explorer app, at least for now.

Following are the keyboard shortcuts to change File Explorer view in Windows 10.

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

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.