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Backspace: Move up a directory level
If you’re in the Windows Explorer or viewing files when using File | Open (usually Ctrl+O) or File | Save (usually Ctrl+S), and you want to move up a directory level (for example, move from U:\DOCUMENTS\2007 to U:\DOCUMENTS), then press the Backspace key.
on August 9th, 2007 at 8:40 am
This is incorrect. Backspace is the shortcut key for the “Back” command. Typically this will move you up a level if you’re drilling down through folders, but if you jump directly from one folder to another (perhaps by using the Desktop or My Documents shortcut in the File dialog, or just directly typing in a path to jump to), then Backspace will return you to the last folder, not the one above it in the tree. Backspace is also the shortcut key for Back in all internet browsers I am aware of.
on August 9th, 2007 at 1:43 pm
Palmer,
That’s not my experience. Try this and see if you get the same behavior:
1. Start Windows Explorer with Windows key + E.
2. Hit F6 to move to the address bar.
3. Type in a directory such as C:\WINDOWS and press Enter.
4. Type in a different directory such as C:\Documents and Settings and press Enter.
5. Press Backspace
By your description, you should be back in the C:\WINDOWS directory. But instead you end up in the C:\ directory, as I described.
My one disclaimer is that I’m using Windows XP; Vista may have changed the behavior.
on January 25th, 2008 at 1:51 pm
Hate to necro, but the first comment is correct. The backspace key goes to the last folder, not a directory up. I am trying to find that shortcut.
on January 31st, 2008 at 8:40 am
actually, it does go a directory up. And I have Vista…
on February 1st, 2008 at 10:22 am
Actually, no it doesn’t. Vista *may* be different, (although I believe that Alt + up goes to the parent directory) but I doubt it.
on February 2nd, 2008 at 12:13 pm
Ed, you are the man! Backspace works in XP as “up one level”. In Vista, it works as “back one page”. Your suggested remedy (Alt + up) works as “up one level” in Vista. I did know this key combo and thank you for pointing it out.
on February 2nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Ed — Of course, you may be right about XP, by the way, but I am fairly certain it used to go “up one level” no matter what.
on February 10th, 2008 at 11:20 am
Seems that Alt + Left works with XP. At least XP Pro SP2, which is what I’m on.
on February 10th, 2008 at 11:26 am
My bad, that just seems to navigate forward and backwards….
on February 10th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Ok, yes…for Windows XP, the correct answer is backspace. Notice how when you hit backspace (from windows explorer) the forward button doesn’t light up….because it when to the parent dir, not backwards.
Hope this helps.
on February 8th, 2012 at 8:05 pm
the short cut for up one level is alt + up
just tried on windows 7
on July 25th, 2012 at 3:25 pm
Another useful feature is missing from W7. In XP, I could click through to a subdirectory. Backspace would go up (back, whatever). Control-Backspace would open the parent folder IN A NEW WINDOW. This is very helpful if you want to open a different subfolder, without having to start at the beginning again. Any solutions? -Joe