Go back / forward a folder shortcut (Mac & Windows)
On Mac, press Cmd+[ in Finder to go back to the previous folder (Cmd+] goes forward). On Windows, press Alt+Left to go back in File Explorer, Alt+Right to go forward.
| Action | Mac | Windows | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Go back (previous folder) | ⌘[ | Alt+← | |
| Go forward | ⌘] | Alt+→ | |
| Go up one level (enclosing folder) | ⌘↑ | Alt+↑ | |
| Open selected folder / go into it | ⌘↓ | Enter | |
| Go back (alt, Windows) | — | Backspace | |
| Jump to Home / Go menu | ⌘⇧H | Alt+D then type |
Go back a folder on Mac
In Finder, press ⌘[ (Command + Left Bracket) to return to the folder you were just in, exactly like a browser Back button. ⌘] goes forward again. To move up into the enclosing (parent) folder instead, press ⌘↑; to open the selected folder and go into it, press ⌘↓.
Go back a folder on Windows
In File Explorer, press Alt+← to go back to the previous location and Alt+→ to go forward. Backspace also goes back. To move up to the parent folder, press Alt+↑. Press Enter on a selected folder to open it.
Back vs up
“Back” returns to wherever you came from (your history); “up” always moves to the parent folder. They differ when you jumped to a folder via search or a shortcut.
FAQ
How do I go back a folder on Mac?
Press Cmd+[ in Finder to go back, Cmd+] to go forward. To go up to the parent folder, press Cmd+Up Arrow.
What is the go-back shortcut in Windows File Explorer?
Press Alt+Left to go back and Alt+Right to go forward. Backspace also goes back; Alt+Up goes to the parent folder.
What's the difference between back and up?
Back returns to your previous location in history; Up always moves to the parent folder. They differ if you reached a folder via search or a bookmark.