by Jim
Nov 17, 2009 6:25 AM
To put the focus in the file list, from anywhere else in windows explorer: CTRL+TAB. Once you’re there, spacebar selects the first item.
I’ve always been a fan of keyboard shortcuts, and staying away from the mouse. At work we have "mouse free Friday" to encourage people to learn to use the keyboard whenever possible.
I use Windows Explorer all the time, and have been looking for the above shortcut for years – I only discovered it by chance. I’ve never seen it documented anywhere, but here’s a great list of Windows 7 shortcuts, including many for Windows Explorer.