"UP" Directory and Other Keyboard Shortcuts

By Rich on November 4, 2008 (38 Comments)

I love Vista’s Explorer interface, but the one thing I miss is the “up” button. In this guide you’ll learn how to emulate the up button with a keyboard shortcut. I’ve also included some other useful keyboard shortcuts.

Emulating the “up” Button with a Keyboard Shortcut

To navigate up one directory e.g. from C:WindowsTemp to C:Windows, use the following shortcut:

Alt+Up

More Windows Explorer Shortcut Keys

Shortcut Effect
Alt+Left Go back
Alt+Right Go forward
Alt+Enter See properties of highlighted file
Alt+D Focus and select path in address bar
F4 Display the address bar drop down list
F11 Run Explorer in full-screen mode

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix the problems he creates.

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Comments

Max
One of things I love about the Vista Explorer interface is the fact that you don’t NEED an up button. You just click the folder that you want in the filepath that appears in the address bar. So instead of clicking ‘up’ 7 times, just click the folder you want to get to, right there in the address bar.
- Criptych
  It’s a nice touch, but it does nothing for those of us who prefer to use the keyboard. I miss the much simpler Backspace shortcut, myself, but apparently M$ enjoys changing things up to make long-time users relearn them (Office 2007, cough, cough).
  Anyway, thanks for this tip, Rich. :)
Max
One of things I love about the Vista Explorer interface is the fact that you don’t NEED an up button. You just click the folder that you want in the filepath that appears in the address bar. So instead of clicking ‘up’ 7 times, just click the folder you want to get to, right there in the address bar.
Max
One of things I love about the Vista Explorer interface is the fact that you don’t NEED an up button. You just click the folder that you want in the filepath that appears in the address bar. So instead of clicking ‘up’ 7 times, just click the folder you want to get to, right there in the address bar.
Max
One of things I love about the Vista Explorer interface is the fact that you don’t NEED an up button. You just click the folder that you want in the filepath that appears in the address bar. So instead of clicking ‘up’ 7 times, just click the folder you want to get to, right there in the address bar.
Rich
Max, I love that too. The breadcrumbs address bar is a welcomed feature in Vista
Rich
Max, I love that too. The breadcrumbs address bar is a welcomed feature in Vista
http://mintywhite.com/ Rich
Max, I love that too. The breadcrumbs address bar is a welcomed feature in Vista
http://mintywhite.com Rich
Max, I love that too. The breadcrumbs address bar is a welcomed feature in Vista
Chad V
why not just use backspace?
Chad V
why not just use backspace?
Chad V
why not just use backspace?
Chad V
why not just use backspace?
Rich
Chad, backspace takes you back to the last folder you were in.
For example: If you want to go up to the parent folder after getting to the folder you are in via a shortcut, you will go back to the folder that contained the shortcut to the folder you are in :) Haha yes, I confused myself, but I hope it makes sense.
Rich
Chad, backspace takes you back to the last folder you were in.
For example: If you want to go up to the parent folder after getting to the folder you are in via a shortcut, you will go back to the folder that contained the shortcut to the folder you are in :) Haha yes, I confused myself, but I hope it makes sense.
http://mintywhite.com/ Rich
Chad, backspace takes you back to the last folder you were in.
For example: If you want to go up to the parent folder after getting to the folder you are in via a shortcut, you will go back to the folder that contained the shortcut to the folder you are in :) Haha yes, I confused myself, but I hope it makes sense.
http://mintywhite.com Rich
Chad, backspace takes you back to the last folder you were in.
For example: If you want to go up to the parent folder after getting to the folder you are in via a shortcut, you will go back to the folder that contained the shortcut to the folder you are in :) Haha yes, I confused myself, but I hope it makes sense.
Zach
Thanks for this, because sometimes the address bar has only the folder you’re in, if it has a long name, and you have to press another button on the side THEN the folder you want, when you really just want to get to the folder above. :)
Zach
Thanks for this, because sometimes the address bar has only the folder you’re in, if it has a long name, and you have to press another button on the side THEN the folder you want, when you really just want to get to the folder above. :)
Zach
Thanks for this, because sometimes the address bar has only the folder you’re in, if it has a long name, and you have to press another button on the side THEN the folder you want, when you really just want to get to the folder above. :)
Zach
Thanks for this, because sometimes the address bar has only the folder you’re in, if it has a long name, and you have to press another button on the side THEN the folder you want, when you really just want to get to the folder above. :)
licker
What people dont realise is that to use the backspace key or alt/up, you have to use your left hand. This is busy supporting my head while my right hand is on the mouse. Give us back the friggen UP KEY!!!!!!!
licker
What people dont realise is that to use the backspace key or alt/up, you have to use your left hand. This is busy supporting my head while my right hand is on the mouse. Give us back the friggen UP KEY!!!!!!!
licker
What people dont realise is that to use the backspace key or alt/up, you have to use your left hand. This is busy supporting my head while my right hand is on the mouse. Give us back the friggen UP KEY!!!!!!!
licker
What people dont realise is that to use the backspace key or alt/up, you have to use your left hand. This is busy supporting my head while my right hand is on the mouse. Give us back the friggen UP KEY!!!!!!!
Rich
Haha as I read this, I am supporting my head with my left hand!
Rich
Haha as I read this, I am supporting my head with my left hand!
http://mintywhite.com/ Rich
Haha as I read this, I am supporting my head with my left hand!
Oblivion
I am left handed so well i find practically everything easy.. :D (except finding a mouse)
Oblivion
I am left handed so well i find practically everything easy.. :D (except finding a mouse)
Oblivion
I am left handed so well i find practically everything easy.. :D (except finding a mouse)
Oblivion
I am left handed so well i find practically everything easy.. :D (except finding a mouse)
Radek Przybyl
Would like to know, what is shortcut equivalent for clicking Updir with CTRL (open new window with parent folder). It was very usefull, and some dumb riped it off.
Radek Przybyl
Would like to know, what is shortcut equivalent for clicking Updir with CTRL (open new window with parent folder). It was very usefull, and some dumb riped it off.
http://www.fototv.pl/ Radek Przybyl
Would like to know, what is shortcut equivalent for clicking Updir with CTRL (open new window with parent folder). It was very usefull, and some dumb riped it off.
http://www.fototv.pl Radek Przybyl
Would like to know, what is shortcut equivalent for clicking Updir with CTRL (open new window with parent folder). It was very usefull, and some dumb riped it off.
http://www.roopunk.com/ Roopam Poddar
Excactly what I was looking for. Thanks.
http://mintywhite.com Rich
Haha as I read this, I am supporting my head with my left hand!

Shortcut		Effect
Alt+Left		Go back
Alt+Right		Go forward
Alt+Enter		See properties of highlighted file
Alt+D		Focus and select path in address bar
F4		Display the address bar drop down list
F11		Run Explorer in full-screen mode

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