Windows Desktop Navigation

Essential keyboard shortcuts for navigating Windows without a mouse: Start menu, taskbar, File Explorer and window management.

What you'll learn:

  • File Explorer navigation and folder hierarchy
  • Taskbar and system tray shortcuts
  • Switching and managing open windows
  • Launching applications from the Start menu

Quick Start

Why learn this first on Windows? These standard Windows shortcuts work alongside JAWS, NVDA and Windows Narrator. Learning how Windows moves focus between the Start menu, File Explorer, taskbar and open windows makes every screen reader easier to use.

Press the Windows key to open the Start menu and begin typing to search for an application. Hold Alt and press Tab to switch between open windows. Press Windows+E to open File Explorer. Move focus to the system tray (notification area) with Windows+B, use the arrow keys to move between icons, and press Enter to open an item.

Essential Commands Reference

CommandAction
Windows KeyOpen Start menu and search box
Alt + TabSwitch between open applications
Windows + EOpen File Explorer
Alt + Up ArrowOpen the parent folder in File Explorer
Backspace or Alt + Left ArrowGo back to the previous folder viewed in File Explorer
Windows + BMove focus to the system tray
Windows + TCycle through apps on the taskbar
Windows + MMinimise all windows
Alt + F4Close the active window
Windows + DShow or hide the desktop
F2Rename the selected file or folder
DeleteMove the selected item to the Recycle Bin

Step-by-Step Tutorial Guide

Getting Started with Desktop Navigation

Understanding Windows navigation: These keyboard shortcuts are built into Windows 10 and Windows 11. Your screen reader announces each menu item, icon or window as focus moves.

  1. Make sure your screen reader is running so you hear focus changes announced
  2. Press the Windows key to open the Start menu
  3. Start typing the name of an application (such as Word or Notepad)
  4. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to review the search results
  5. Press Enter to launch the highlighted application
  6. Press Windows+D to move to the desktop, then use the arrow keys or first-letter navigation to move between desktop icons

File Explorer Navigation

  1. Press Windows+E to open File Explorer
  2. Use Tab and Shift+Tab (or F6) to move between the navigation pane, file list, command bar and address bar
  3. Use the Arrow keys to move through files and folders in the current view
  4. Press Enter to open the selected folder or file
  5. Press Alt+Up Arrow to move up one level to the parent folder
  6. Press Backspace or Alt+Left Arrow to return to the previous folder you viewed
  7. Press F2 to rename the selected file or folder, type the new name, and press Enter
  8. Use Ctrl+C to copy, Ctrl+X to cut and Ctrl+V to paste
  9. Press Delete to move the selected item to the Recycle Bin

Taskbar Navigation

About the taskbar: The taskbar holds pinned and running applications, alongside the system tray (clock, network, volume and background icons).

  1. Press Windows+T to place focus on the taskbar
  2. Use the Left and Right Arrow keys to move between taskbar buttons
  3. Press Enter to open or switch to the selected application
  4. Press Shift+F10 or the Applications key to open an item's jump list or context menu
  5. Press Windows+B to move focus to the system tray
  6. Use the arrow keys to move between system tray icons and press Enter or Space to open the selected icon

Application Switching

  1. Hold Alt and press Tab to open the window switcher
  2. Keep holding Alt and press Tab repeatedly to move through open windows
  3. Release Alt when your screen reader announces the window you want
  4. Use Alt+Shift+Tab to move backwards through open windows
  5. Use Ctrl+Tab to switch between tabs inside a web browser or tabbed File Explorer window
  6. Press Windows+1 through Windows+9 to open or switch to pinned taskbar apps by position

Window Management

  1. Press Alt+Space to open the current window's system menu (Restore, Minimise, Maximise, Close)
  2. Press Windows+Up Arrow to maximise the active window
  3. Press Windows+Down Arrow to restore a maximised window or minimise it
  4. Press Windows+Left Arrow or Windows+Right Arrow to snap a window to half of the screen
  5. Press Alt+F4 to close the active window
  6. Press Windows+M to minimise all open windows

System Navigation

  1. Press Windows+I to open Windows Settings
  2. Press Windows+X to open the Quick Link menu (Device Manager, Installed Apps, Shut down or sign out)
  3. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open Task Manager
  4. Press Windows+R to open the Run dialogue
  5. Press Windows+L to lock your computer

Context Menus and Properties

  1. Select a file, folder or link and press Shift+F10 (or the Applications / Menu key) to open its context menu without using the mouse
  2. In Windows File Explorer, pressing Shift+F10 (or the Applications / Menu key) opens the selected item's context menu; if the modern Windows 11 menu appears and you need additional commands, choose Show more options
  3. Press Alt+Enter on a selected file or folder to open its Properties dialogue directly
  4. Use the Up and Down Arrow keys to move through menu options and Esc to close a menu without selecting anything

Quick Tips

  • Maximising windows with Windows+Up Arrow can make the layout more consistent on smaller laptop screens
  • Use Alt+Up Arrow whenever you want to climb up the folder hierarchy in File Explorer
  • Press Alt+D or Ctrl+L in File Explorer or a web browser to move focus straight to the address bar
  • Practise switching between two open windows (such as a browser and Notepad) using Alt+Tab until it feels automatic

Short practice exercise:

Press Windows+E to open File Explorer, use the arrow keys to open your Documents folder with Enter, then press Alt+Up Arrow to move up to its parent folder and Alt+F4 to close the window.

Practice & Learning Resources

Official Help & Free Online Resources:

  • NVDA User Guide: Open the NVDA menu with NVDA+N, then choose Help → User Guide (or read it online at nvaccess.org)
  • JAWS Training & Help: Press Insert+F1 (or Caps Lock+F1 in Laptop layout) for context-sensitive help, or visit Freedom Scientific Training
  • WebAIM Articles: webaim.org
  • RNIB Technology Advice: rnib.org.uk

Well-Structured Websites for Practising Navigation:

  • GOV.UK: gov.uk (clear headings, landmarks and simple form controls)
  • BBC: bbc.co.uk (headings, regions and article links)
  • Wikipedia: wikipedia.org (nested headings, tables and internal links)
  • WebAIM NVDA Guide & Practice: WebAIM NVDA Article

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