Windows 7 Explorer keyboard shortcut: set focus to files/folders/content area?
Try Ctrl+Tab, that should do it.
For the record the terminology you are referring to is called "Property Tab Navigation" ...
Properties control
CTRL+TAB/CTRL+SHIFT+TAB: Move through the property tabs
You can use AutoHotkey to move the keyboard focus to the file pane. In this example, I use the hotkey Win+Space:
#IfWinActive ahk_class CabinetWClass ; Windows Explorer
#Space::
ControlFocus, DirectUIHWND3, A
SendInput, {Space}
return
#IfWinActive
See Also:
- AutoHotkey: Hotkeys
Ctrl+E (or Ctrl+F) followed by Esc
Works in Windows 7, 8.1, 10