Why can't I open two files in two new windows from netrw in Vim?

Question

If I open Vim's file explorer to the current directory, I can open a file using the o key in a new window. I change focus between the opened file and the file listing using CTRL-w w key sequence. So far, so good.

However, if I change focus to the file explorer and open another file using the o key, this happens: a new window showing the file listing is created, and the window showing the previously opened file is focussed. I cannot switch to either of the file listing windows with CTRL-w w key sequence. Why does this happen?

How can I open a second file in a new window, and how can I move the cursor between the different windows?

Answer 1

When encountering "strange" behavior like this, two things are important:

1. Try to minimize other influences; i.e. temporarily disable other plugins and irrelevant configuration in your ~/.vimrc
2. It may be a bug; upgrade to the latest available versions of Vim (depending on your platform) and the plugin (the latest netrw version can be found here).
3. If you can't possibly upgrade, at least locate and search the change log / issue tracker / mailing list; there may be hints about the problem.

Answer 2

Starting with a blank slate (* shows focus)…

+------------------------------+
| *                            |
|                              |
|                              |
|                              |
|                              |
|                              |
|                              |
|                              |
+------------------------------+

1. :Ex should replace the currently empty buffer with the netrw listing:

   +------------------------------+
   | * netrw                      |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   

2. Hitting o should open the selected file in a new horizontally split window and give it focus:

   +------------------------------+
   | * file 1                     |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   | netrw                        |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   

3. The mapping for going back to the previous window (whatever and wherever it is) is <C-w>p. At this point, using this shortcut should give focus to the netrw listing:

   +------------------------------+
   | file 1                       |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   | * netrw                      |
   |                              |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   

4. Choosing a new file and hitting o should open it in a second horizontally split window (located right above the netrw window, between it and the window of the first file) and give it focus:

   +------------------------------+
   | file 1                       |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   | * file 2                     |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   | netrw                        |
   |                              |
   +------------------------------+
   

5. At this point, you can go back to the netrw listing with <C-w>p or cycle through your windows with <C-w>w (forward) or <C-w>W (backward) or use <C-w>hjkl or read :h window-move-cursor.