{"id":"apps.what-keyboard-shortcuts-work-in-the-apps-window","url":"/faq/apps/what-keyboard-shortcuts-work-in-the-apps-window","category":{"id":"apps","title":"Apps"},"subcategory":{"id":"apps-window","title":"The Apps window and launcher"},"question":"What keyboard shortcuts work in the Apps window?","alt_questions":["Keyboard navigation in the Apps grid","Can I use arrow keys in All Apps?","How do I close the Apps window with the keyboard?","Apps window hotkeys","Tab into the app grid"],"short_answer":"Type to search, Tab to jump into the grid, arrow keys to move, Return to open the highlighted app, and Esc to close the Apps window.","answer_markdown":"The Apps window is built to be used from the keyboard:\n\n- **Type** to search — the box is focused when the window opens.\n- **Tab** jumps from the search box into the grid.\n- **Arrow keys** move the selection around the grid.\n- **Return** opens the highlighted app.\n- **Esc** closes the window.\n\nTo open the grid itself from anywhere, use the [global shortcut](/faq/apps/how-do-i-open-the-apps-grid-with-a-keyboard-shortcut).","answer_html":"

The Apps window is built to be used from the keyboard:

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To open the grid itself from anywhere, use the global shortcut.

","answer_text":"The Apps window is built to be used from the keyboard:\n\n- Type to search — the box is focused when the window opens.\n- Tab jumps from the search box into the grid.\n- Arrow keys move the selection around the grid.\n- Return opens the highlighted app.\n- Esc closes the window.\n\nTo open the grid itself from anywhere, use the global shortcut.","tags":["keyboard","all apps"],"related":[{"id":"apps.how-do-i-search-for-an-app-in-the-apps-window","question":"How do I search for an app in the Apps window?","url":"/faq/apps/how-do-i-search-for-an-app-in-the-apps-window"},{"id":"apps.how-do-i-open-the-apps-grid-with-a-keyboard-shortcut","question":"Is there a keyboard shortcut to open the Apps grid from anywhere?","url":"/faq/apps/how-do-i-open-the-apps-grid-with-a-keyboard-shortcut"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"What keyboard shortcuts work in the Apps window? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Type to search, Tab to jump into the grid, arrow keys to move, Return to open the highlighted app, and Esc to close the Apps window.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Apps","path":"/faq/apps/"},{"name":"What keyboard shortcuts work in the Apps window?","path":"/faq/apps/what-keyboard-shortcuts-work-in-the-apps-window"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/what-keyboard-shortcuts-work-in-the-apps-window","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"What keyboard shortcuts work in the Apps window?","alternateName":["Keyboard navigation in the Apps grid","Can I use arrow keys in All Apps?","How do I close the Apps window with the keyboard?","Apps window hotkeys","Tab into the app grid"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The Apps window is built to be used from the keyboard:\n\n- Type to search — the box is focused when the window opens.\n- Tab jumps from the search box into the grid.\n- Arrow keys move the selection around the grid.\n- Return opens the highlighted app.\n- Esc closes the window.\n\nTo open the grid itself from anywhere, use the global shortcut.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/apps/what-keyboard-shortcuts-work-in-the-apps-window"}}]},"fragment":"
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Apps · The Apps window and launcher

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What keyboard shortcuts work in the Apps window?

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Short answer: Type to search, Tab to jump into the grid, arrow keys to move, Return to open the highlighted app, and Esc to close the Apps window.

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The Apps window is built to be used from the keyboard:

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  • Type to search — the box is focused when the window opens.
  • Tab jumps from the search box into the grid.
  • Arrow keys move the selection around the grid.
  • Return opens the highlighted app.
  • Esc closes the window.
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To open the grid itself from anywhere, use the global shortcut.

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Last reviewed

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