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If I've got a file (or files) selected in Windows Explorer, the only way I've found to "unselect" them is click with the mouse on some empty space.

I thought Esc would do this, but it doesn't. Also changing focus with Tab or Shift + Tab doesn't work; the file(s) are still selected even if focus goes to the address bar for instance.

Does anyone know of a keyboard shortcut to do this?

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I was thinking of implementing a Unselect All feature in an app that I'm developing and I was thinking Ctrl+Shift+A would make a lot of sense. So far I haven't found any examples of other apps using this shortcut though. What do you think? – jpierson Aug 23 '10 at 14:31
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4 Answers

up vote 7 down vote accepted

You can use Ctrl+Arrow to move among selected items. Ctrl+Space will select/deselect. (Space alone will select but not deselect.)

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Perfect, thanks! – Adam Neal Dec 4 '09 at 17:45
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up vote 3 down vote

As far as I know there isn't a keyboard shortcut for Invert Selection in Windows Explorer, and unfortunately Select All doesn't toggle the selection.

So if you really want an all keyboard solution:

Ctrl + A, Alt + E, I

If you're used to Emacs multi-key bindings then this shouldn't bother you. :)

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+1 for creativity :) – Adam Neal Dec 7 '09 at 17:56
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up vote 1 down vote

I also found another quick solution: pressing F5 will refresh the folder and deselect single or multiple items.

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up vote 0 down vote

Alt V then R will also do the trick -- guess same as F5, but one more way to do it.

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