Is there a keyboard shortcut for 'Open file location' within Windows Search?

Here's what I want to do:

1. Hit Windows.
2. Type in a search for a file.
3. Select the file (arrow keys).
4. Open the file's containing folder without right-clicking (like in Spotlight with Command +Enter).

6 Answers

You could use the menu button on your keyboard, assuming you have one. Replacing your step 4 with the following has what I think is the desired effect:

4. Menu
5. Arrow keys to "Open File Location" option. Update: Or just press i - see comments.
6. Enter

Now, it's hardly a shortcut, but since you're arrowing to the file maybe this isn't too much of an additional chore compared to having to mouse as well?

2

Select a file, press Alt+Enter to open the properties, then press Alt+F for "Open File Location".

1

Not really a native Windows shortcut, but I do this all the time with Launchy. It allows you to open any location anytime by just typing:

1. Alt+Space
2. Type Address
3. Enter

In Windows 7 - 10, this combination will open the folder in Windows Explorer. Note that the file must be highlighted before, of course:

≣ Win Menu (opens context menu) → i ("Open file location")

When within the search results, you probably want to open each file's folder in a separate window. Then use shift:

≣ Win Menu → Shift + i

Screencast (Win Menu shows as "App"):

1

Windows 10 has the option to add "Open folder location" to the Quick Access Toolbar in File Explorer.

1. After performing a search the Search Tools appear in the menu.
2. Click on this to see options.
3. Right-click on Open File location icon.
4. Select Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
5. Button now can be used on selected searched file/folder.

2

(Just another way of thinking inspired by @DMA57361)

If your mouse has some unused buttons, you can create macro for your one of these buttons. The macro can be [Right Mouse Click] + [Delay] + ["i"].

For example, I am using the Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000, I use the Microsoft Keyboard and Mouse Center to create a macro for my left side button:

Now, you can just use one-button-click to open file location. Good luck!

2

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