Windows Explorer Shortcuts on Mac — Complete Mapping

Windows Explorer shortcuts on a Mac

Every key you press without thinking, and what it does here. All of them can be rebound in Settings.

In Windows Explorer	In MExplorer
Open two windows and line them up to copy between them	Two real panels in one window. `F6` or `Tab` switches the active one.
`Ctrl`+`X`, `Ctrl`+`V` — cut then paste to move a file	`⌘X`, `⌘V` — exactly the same. macOS Finder cannot do this.
`Ctrl`+`C`, `Ctrl`+`V` — copy and paste	`⌘C`, `⌘V` — unchanged.
`Ctrl`+`L` — type a path into the address bar	`⌘L` — the path bar turns into a text field. Type a path, press Return.
`Alt`+`↑`, `Alt`+`←`, `Alt`+`→`	`⌘↑` parent, `⌘[` back, `⌘]` forward.
`F2` rename, `F5` refresh	`F2` and `F5` — unchanged. F2 edits the name in every view.
Select many files, press `F2` to bulk rename	`⌘⇧F2` — bulk rename, with a preview before you apply it.
`Delete` to the Recycle Bin	`Delete` to the Trash, and `⌘Z` brings it back.
`Shift`+`Delete` deletes for good, instantly	`⌘⌥Delete` is permanent too — but you must type a word to confirm.
`Ctrl`+`Z` undo	`⌘Z` undo, `⌘⇧Z` redo. Deletions are undoable too.
Details view, click a column header to sort	`⌘2` — Name, Date modified, Kind, Size. Click to sort, filter right on the column.
Right-click ▸ Group by kind, date, size	Group by kind, date modified, size, first letter — or not at all.
`Ctrl`+`F` search this folder	`⌘F` — with `ext:` `kind:` `size:` `date:` and wildcards `*` `?`
Tabs in Windows 11 Explorer	`⌘T` open, `⌘W` close, `⌘⇧[` `⌘⇧]` switch. Each panel has its own tabs.
`Alt`+`Enter` Properties	`⌘I` — file properties, and folder properties with the real size on disk.
Drag onto a folder and hover for it to open	The same. Passing over does nothing; holding still opens it.
Right-click ▸ Send to ▸ Compressed folder	`⌘⌥C` compress, and Extract here from the context menu.
`Ctrl`+`Shift`+`N` new folder, show hidden files	`⌘⇧N` new folder, `⌘⇧.` toggle hidden files.
Open Command Prompt here	Open in Terminal, right at the folder you are looking at.

Coming from Total Commander?

The two-panel habit carries over. Some keys differ, because macOS already owns them.

In Total Commander	In MExplorer
`Tab` — switch panel	`Tab` or `F6`. The active panel has an orange edge.
`F5` copy to the other panel	Drag, or `⌘C` then `⌘V`. `F5` is refresh here, as in Explorer — but you can rebind it to copy in Settings if your fingers insist.
`F6` move to the other panel	Drag within the same disk moves; `⌘X` then `⌘V` also moves.
`F7` new folder	`⌘⇧N`.
`F8` delete	`Delete` to the Trash, `⌘⌥Delete` for good.
Multi-rename tool	`⌘⇧F2` — prefix, suffix, find-and-replace, sequence numbers, with a preview.

Three things Explorer does not have

Send to the other panel

One command moves the folder you are looking at into the opposite panel. No dragging across a screen, no second window.

Copy a path with ⌘⇧C

The full path of whatever is selected, straight to the clipboard — for a terminal, a bug report, or a colleague.

A cleanup log that restores

Every cleanup run is written down. One button puts an entire session back where it came from — and a row already emptied from the Trash says so plainly instead of letting you click and find out.

Verified copies between disks

Moving to another disk copies, verifies the copy, and only then removes the original. Pull the drive mid-way and the original is still whole.

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