Skip to the main content

File Explorer

Go back to the previous folder

AltLeft arrow

Windows Desktop app Windows 11 File Explorer

Practice this

To go back to the previous folder in File Explorer, press Alt + Left arrow. It is listed for Windows, and no Mac version is documented here.

Where it works: File Explorer

Backspace also goes back to the previous folder.

Where this comes from

Keyboard shortcuts in Windows - Microsoft Support

Documentation checked on 2026-09-14. That is a documentation review, not a test run inside the application.

The same task in other apps

Back Google Chrome Alt + Left arrow
Go back one page in history ChromeOS Alt + Left arrow
Return to the previous webpage Microsoft Edge Cmd + Left arrow
Return to the previous webpage Mozilla Firefox Cmd + Left arrow
Go back to the previous channel in your history Mattermost Cmd + [
Revisit the previous page Notion Cmd + [
Go back 1Password Cmd + [
Return to the previous webpage Safari Cmd + [
Back Slack Alt + Left arrow

More File Explorer shortcuts

Go forward to the next folder Alt + Right arrow
Show or hide the preview pane Alt + P
Show or hide the details pane Alt + Shift + P
Move up one folder level Alt + Up arrow
Send the selected item to the Recycle Bin Ctrl + D
Jump to the search box Ctrl + E
Open a new File Explorer window Ctrl + N
Expand every folder in the navigation pane Ctrl + Shift + E

See every File Explorer shortcut

Report a correction