Browse to Folder from Start Key

RonaldJJames · 02 Apr 2021

in a CMD shell, I can browse to Drives/Folders by entering the first few characters of a Drive/Folder name and then pressing <Tab> to cycle through matching folder names and files. Very nice!

When using the Start Key, an equivalent to the <Tab> key appears to be <DownArrow> and this allows you to scroll through the folders matching what has been entered so far. However, if there is only one matching folder, it seems you need to enter <DownArrow> and then <UpArrow> to select that folder. Is there a single key option for selecting a single matching folder.

(Sorry for being picky!)

Thanks

dalchina · 02 Apr 2021

When using the Start Key, an equivalent to the <Tab> key appears to be <DownArrow> and this allows you to scroll through the folders matching what has been entered so far.

Sorry, not sure where you are. Could you post a screenshot please?

RonaldJJames · 02 Apr 2021

In this scenario, (only one folder - Finances matching the partial folder name I've typed - Fin I'd like a single key option of selecting the folder Finances so that I can continue browsing using the keyboard. I only know how to do this by enter 2 keystrokes - uparrow and downarrow.

Browse to Folder from Start Key-untitled.jpg

Berton · 02 Apr 2021

I find using the Search lists the result but have to either click on it using the mouse/touchpad or with arrow keys put the focus on an item in the resultant list which is below the result box.

RonaldJJames · 02 Apr 2021

Exactly. Clicking the result isn't what I want, since this open the folder in Windows Explorer.

And selecting the folder using 2 arrow keys seems a little klunky. I'm looking for a more elegant solution (like the use of the <tab> key in a CMD shell.

dalchina · 02 Apr 2021

Hi, if I search for an item like that, it is selected.

Hitting 'Enter' then opens the folder or document...

Not sure what you mean about using keys to select something that's already selected..

RonaldJJames · 02 Apr 2021

I have a folder called Finances. This folder has many sub folders, many of which have sub folders ... I'm not looking to open the top level folder - Finances - in Explorer. I'm looking to browse the subfolders of Finances using the keyboard.
The CMD shell has a very elegant way of doing this. I'm looking for something similar in Search. Downarrow followed by Uparrow will do what I want. I was just wondering if there's a more elegant (single key) option.

zebal · 02 Apr 2021

RonaldJJames said:

if there is only one matching folder, it seems you need to enter <DownArrow> and then <UpArrow> to select that folder. Is there a single key option for selecting a single matching folder.

This is really annoying, and likely there is no key because that's how MS designed their OS.

Alternative solution is to pin frequent folders to quick start, taskbar and start menu.
I then simply click Win key + E or Win key and it's all there.

you can't pin it too much, maybe 20-30 most used items.

This surely isn't related to your question, but those arrow keys require your right hand to move while win key + something is closer and faster.

Windows search even if completely perfect can't give you that keyboard speed.

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RonaldJJames said:

I have a folder called Finances. This folder has many sub folders, many of which have sub folders ... I'm not looking to open the top level folder - Finances - in Explorer. I'm looking to browse the subfolders of Finances using the keyboard.

There is navigation pane in explorer for this.

But, for large directory structure there is one elegant way to jump to folder or file almost instantly.
Programs such as VSCode let's you open root folder, you can then use search function that will list your matches instantly, this is very far from comparable to Windows search and start menu.

And you're just one click away, not to mention other extensible features useful to deal with large trees.

RonaldJJames · 04 Apr 2021

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts.