What does Alt+Left do?
In Windows 11, Alt+Left means: Navigate to the previous page in history.
Last verified: 2026-10-10 (latest recorded check on at least one row; rows without their own date remain pending).
Where this shortcut applies
| App | Platform | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows 11 | Windows | Navigate back in File Explorer or browser history Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Windows 11 | Windows | Navigate to the previous page in history Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Navigate back in Files or browser Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Navigate to the previous page in history Verification pending |
| Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS | Linux | Navigate to the previous folder in history Verification pending |
| ChromeOS Flex / Stable | ChromeOS | Navigate back in the browser Latest recorded check: 2026-10-10 · Source |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Navigate back in File Explorer or browser Verification pending |
| Windows 10 | Windows | Navigate to the previous page in history Verification pending |
| Google Chrome | Windows, Linux | Go back to the previous page Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| Google Chrome | Windows, Linux | Navigate to the previous page Latest recorded check: 2026-10-04 · Source |
| VS Code | Platform not independently verified | Go back to the previous cursor location Verification pending |
| Slack | Platform not independently verified | Navigate to the previous view in history Verification pending |
| Microsoft Teams | Platform not independently verified | Navigate to the previous view Verification pending |
| Spotify | Platform not independently verified | Navigate to the previous view Verification pending |
| Obsidian | Platform not independently verified | Go back to the previously opened note (like browser history) Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Go back to the previous page Verification pending |
| Mozilla Firefox | Platform not independently verified | Navigate to the previous page Verification pending |
| Microsoft Edge | Platform not independently verified | Navigate to the previous page Verification pending |
| Microsoft Edge | Platform not independently verified | Navigate to the previous page Verification pending |
| Windows Terminal | Platform not independently verified | Move focus to the pane on the left Verification pending |
| Adobe Acrobat | Platform not independently verified | Return to the previous scroll position or page Verification pending |
Full shortcut pages
- Windows 11 shortcuts
- Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS shortcuts
- ChromeOS Flex / Stable shortcuts
- Windows 10 shortcuts
- Google Chrome shortcuts
- VS Code shortcuts
- Slack shortcuts
- Microsoft Teams shortcuts
- Spotify shortcuts
- Obsidian shortcuts
- Mozilla Firefox shortcuts
- Microsoft Edge shortcuts
- Windows Terminal shortcuts
- Adobe Acrobat shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
- What does Alt+Left do?
- In Windows 11, Alt+Left means: Navigate to the previous page in history.
- Does this shortcut work the same way in every app?
- No. The listed contexts include Windows 11, Ubuntu Linux 24.04 LTS, ChromeOS Flex / Stable, Windows 10, Google Chrome, VS Code, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Spotify, Obsidian, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Windows Terminal, Adobe Acrobat. Check the table for each application and platform: the active window, keyboard layout and application settings determine which command receives the key press. An application being available on an operating system is not evidence that this exact binding works there.
- What should I use on a Mac?
- Use a macOS binding shown in the table, if one is recorded for your task and application. This page does not assume that replacing Ctrl with Cmd produces a working Mac shortcut. When an equivalent has not been independently verified, open the linked application reference and check its documented context before relying on it.