Keyboard focus on first file in Windows explorer?

20

3

When i open windows explorer, I usually navigate it with keyboard most of the time. My biggest annoyance is when I open a folder, and in it I want to open the first folder or file in the list. For this, I have to press the down arrow key, and the up arrow to get the focus on that file/folder. How could I make Explorer, automatically focus on the first file, so once i open the folder, I can just click enter and it opens?

Alex B

Posted 2012-11-23T17:22:46.050

Reputation: 323

Answers

13

The space key selects the first folder or file in the list.

WackGet

Posted 2012-11-23T17:22:46.050

Reputation: 366

Very nice. space isn't so bad. – Michael Kropat – 2014-07-22T19:58:51.317

Pressing 'space' is better than 'page up' – Omtara – 2014-05-01T19:48:22.053

1

This workarround may be helpful try using Enter to open a folder then PageUp to select the first file/folder the key page up will select the first subfolder on the opened folder

kamalam

Posted 2012-11-23T17:22:46.050

Reputation: 61

1I think you misunderstood my answer i mean press the key "Enter" to open a folder then press "Page Up" and the first folder/file is selected so it's only two keystrokes instead. – kamalam – 2013-01-13T18:47:51.880

1

I faced the same problem so I created a simple AutoHotKey script to solve this problem

~Enter::
    ControlGetText path, ToolbarWindow323
    Sleep 100           
    if WinActive("ahk_class CabinetWClass") {
        ControlGetText new_path, ToolbarWindow323
        if (new_path != path) {
            SendInput {Space}
        }
    }
Return                        

VarunAgw

Posted 2012-11-23T17:22:46.050

Reputation: 779

Well written. I almost did the same thing myself after seeing the top answer, but you saved me the time . – Justin Pavatte – 2017-09-28T19:49:59.743

2@JustinPavatte AHK is solution to every problem ;) – VarunAgw – 2017-09-28T23:47:36.087