Default Keyboard Shortcuts (Commander-Style)

Multi Commander's Commander-Style keyboard layout is inspired by the classic Norton Commander interface, optimized for power users who prefer keyboard-driven file management. This comprehensive reference covers all default shortcuts organized by functionality and scope.

Keyboard Layout Note

These shortcuts represent the Commander-Style layout. Multi Commander also supports Windows Explorer-style shortcuts through the Quick Setup option. You can fully customize all keyboard shortcuts through Configuration → Keyboard Customization.

Multi Commander Core Shortcuts

These global shortcuts work consistently across all extensions and panels, providing universal navigation and file management capabilities.

Navigation
Alt + Go Back
Alt + Go Forward
Alt + Show History
Tab Management
Ctrl + W Close Tab
Ctrl + T Duplicate Tab
File Operations
F3 View File
F4 Edit File
Shift + F4 Edit New File
F5 Copy Files
Shift + F5 Copy (Quick - Same Location)
F6 Move Files
F8 / Delete Delete Files
Archive Operations
Alt + F5 Pack Files
Alt + F6 Unpack Files
Clipboard Operations
Ctrl + X Cut
Ctrl + C Copy
Ctrl + V Paste
View Control
Ctrl + F11 Full Width
Ctrl + L Log Panel
Ctrl + M Menu Bar
Ctrl + B Button Panel
F2 Refresh

Explorer Panel - Global Shortcuts

These Explorer Panel shortcuts work globally and remain active even when focus is in another extension, provided the extension supports global hotkeys.

File Tools
F7 Create Folder
Shift + F6 Rename
Shift + Alt + Enter Calculate Folder Sizes
Send to Clipboard
Ctrl + P File/Folder Path and Name
Ctrl + Shift + P File/Folder Name Only
Shift + Alt + P File/Folder Path Only
Selection Operations
Num + Select Using Filter
Num - Unselect Using Filter
Ctrl + A Select All
Ctrl + D Unselect All
Num * Invert Selection
Advanced Selection
Ctrl + Num + Select Same Extension
Ctrl + Num - Unselect Same Extension
Alt + Num + Select Same Name
Alt + Num - Unselect Same Name
Ctrl + F10 Compare & Select Missing/Newest

Explorer Panel - Specific Shortcuts

These shortcuts are available only when focus is in the Explorer Panel view, providing specialized navigation and management capabilities.

Drive and Path Management
Alt + F1 Drive Selection (Left)
Alt + F2 Drive Selection (Right)
Ctrl + E Edit Path
Ctrl + F Set View Filter
Alt + F7 Start Search from Current Path
Quick Path Navigation
Ctrl + 1 Quick Path #1
Ctrl + 2 Quick Path #2
Ctrl + 3 Quick Path #3
Ctrl + 4 Quick Path #4
Ctrl + 5 Quick Path #5
Ctrl + 6 Quick Path #6
Ctrl + 7 Quick Path #7
Ctrl + 8 Quick Path #8
Ctrl + 9 Quick Path #9
Ctrl + 0 Quick Path #10
Panel Synchronization
Ctrl + Sync Path to Left
Ctrl + Sync Path to Right
Ctrl + . Go to Same Path as Target
Directory Navigation
Backspace Go to Parent Folder
Ctrl + Backspace Go to Root of Device
Shift + F2 Force Refresh (Flush Cache)
Alt + Enter Show File Properties

Keyboard Customization

Multi Commander offers extensive keyboard customization options to match your workflow preferences.

Customization Features
  • Remap any keyboard shortcut
  • Create custom key combinations
  • Export/import key configurations
  • Quick setup presets available
  • Context-sensitive key bindings
Quick Setup Options
  • Commander-Style: Norton Commander inspired
  • Explorer-Style: Windows Explorer familiar
  • Custom: Create your own layout

Access: Configuration → Keyboard Customization

Customization Tip

You can export your customized keyboard layout to a text file for backup or sharing with other users. This makes it easy to maintain consistent shortcuts across multiple installations.

Keyboard Layout Legend

Understanding the keyboard notation used in this documentation:

Key Notation
Ctrl Control key
Alt Alternate key
Shift Shift key
Num Numeric keypad
F1-F12 Function keys
Combination Keys

Key combinations are shown with + between keys:

  • Ctrl + C means press Ctrl and C together
  • Shift + F5 means press Shift and F5 together
  • Alt + Enter means press Alt and Enter together

Note: Press and hold the modifier keys (Ctrl, Alt, Shift) while pressing the main key.

Related Documentation

For more information about keyboard customization and alternative layouts, see Keyboard Customization in the documentation.