FlashFXP Keyboard Shortcuts: The Complete List (50+ Hotkeys + Free PDF)
The most-used FlashFXP shortcuts are Ctrl+T to transfer selected items, F8 to open Quick Connect, F4 to open the Site Manager, F5 to refresh, and Ctrl+Q to queue items. FlashFXP is a Windows FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and FXP client developed by OpenSight Software, used to move files between a local computer and a remote server. If you manage a website, push builds to a server, or move large batches of files every day, learning these keyboard shortcuts will cut the clicking out of your workflow.
This guide lists every FlashFXP keyboard shortcut, explains what each one actually does, shows you how to remap them, and compares them to FileZilla and WinSCP. There’s also a free, printable PDF cheat sheet at the end.
Download the free FlashFXP Shortcuts PDF cheat sheet »
What Is FlashFXP?
FlashFXP is a file transfer client for Windows that supports the FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and FXP protocols. FXP (File eXchange Protocol) is the feature it’s best known for: it lets you transfer files directly between two remote servers without routing the data through your own computer first. Alongside that, FlashFXP offers a transfer queue, scheduled transfers, synchronized browsing, remote file editing with automatic re-upload, and a dual-pane interface local files on one side, the remote server on the other.
Because nearly every action in that dual-pane layout has a key binding, FlashFXP rewards keyboard use more than most FTP clients. Memorizing a handful of function keys (F4, F5, F8) and transfer commands (Ctrl+T, Ctrl+Q) is usually enough to roughly double how fast you work.
How to Use Keyboard Shortcuts in FlashFXP
The single most important thing to understand is that most shortcuts act on whichever pane is active. Before running a command, make sure the correct side is focused:
- Press Ctrl + L to toggle focus between the local and remote panes.
- Press Ctrl + Tab to quickly jump between the two browser panes.
A typical workflow looks like this: click into your local pane, select the files you want to upload, then press Ctrl + T to transfer them to the remote server. To download instead, focus the remote pane, select your files, and press the same keys. To stage a large batch without starting immediately, use Ctrl + Q to queue items and Ctrl + Z to begin the queue when you’re ready.
Navigation & Browsing Shortcuts
These move you around the local and remote file trees and control how the two panes interact.
| Shortcut | Action | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + L | Switch browser side | Toggles focus between the local and remote panes |
| Ctrl + Tab | Switch panes | Quickly jumps between the two browser panes |
| Ctrl + H / Backspace | Parent directory | Moves up one level to the parent folder |
| Ctrl + Insert | Change directory | Opens the change-directory prompt |
| Ctrl + F | Find file | Searches for a file in the current listing |
| F3 | Find next | Repeats the last search |
| Ctrl + D | Compare folders | Compares the contents of the local and remote folders |
| Ctrl + W | Sync browsing | Toggles synchronized browsing so both panes navigate together |
| F5 | Refresh | Reloads the current directory listing |
| Alt + P | Save path | Saves the current path of the active pane |
Transfer & Queue Shortcuts
The core of FlashFXP. These handle moving files and managing the transfer queue.
| Shortcut | Action | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + T | Transfer items | Transfers the selected files or folders immediately |
| Ctrl + Shift + T | Transfer items | Alternate binding for transferring selected items |
| Ctrl + Q | Queue items | Adds the selected items to the transfer queue |
| Ctrl + Shift + Q | Queue items | Alternate binding for queuing selected items |
| Ctrl + Z | Transfer queue | Starts transferring everything in the queue |
| Ctrl + P | Stop queue | Stops the queue after the current transfer finishes |
| Ctrl + G | Manual get | Manually downloads (gets) the selected item |
| F11 | Restore queue | Opens the Restore Queue dialog to recover a saved queue |
File & Selection Shortcuts
Everything for selecting, renaming, moving, and editing files in either pane.
| Shortcut | Action | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + A | Select all | Selects every item in the active pane |
| Ctrl + I | Invert selection | Reverses the current selection |
| Ctrl + N | Rename | Renames the selected file or folder |
| F2 | Rename | Alternate binding for renaming |
| Ctrl + M | Move | Moves the selected files or directories |
| Ctrl + U | Copy | Copies the selected items |
| Ctrl + E | Edit file | Opens the selected file in the editor |
| Ctrl + V | View file | Opens the selected file in the viewer |
| Ctrl + O | Change attributes | Opens the Change Attributes (CHMOD) dialog |
| Ctrl + S | Mask select | Selects files matching a wildcard mask |
| Insert | New folder | Creates a new folder |
| Ctrl + Shift + Insert | New file | Creates a new file |
| Delete | Delete | Deletes the selected items |
| Spacebar | Toggle marked | Marks or unmarks the highlighted item |
Marked List Shortcuts
FlashFXP lets you build a “marked list” of items to act on in bulk.
| Shortcut | Action | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl + Shift + S | Select all marked | Selects every marked item |
| Ctrl + Shift + C | Clear marked list | Empties the marked list |
| Ctrl + Shift + E | Export marked list | Copies the marked list to the clipboard |
| Ctrl + Shift + I | Import marked list | Pastes a marked list from the clipboard |
Connection & Command Shortcuts
For connecting to servers, managing sites, and sending raw FTP commands.
| Shortcut | Action | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| F8 | Quick Connect | Opens the Quick Connect dialog |
| F4 | Site Manager | Opens the Site Manager |
| Ctrl + K | Connect menu | Displays the Connect menu |
| Ctrl + J | Disconnect | Disconnects the server on the active side |
| Ctrl + B | Bookmarks | Pops up the bookmark menu |
| Ctrl + R | Raw command | Opens the raw FTP command dialog |
| Ctrl + Shift + R | Toggle raw input | Toggles the raw command line input |
Function Keys & Window Shortcuts
Application-level commands for help, settings, and window control.
| Shortcut | Action | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | Help | Opens FlashFXP help |
| F6 | Preferences | Opens the Preferences dialog |
| F7 | Custom commands | Opens the Edit Custom Commands dialog |
| F9 | Minimize to tray | Minimizes FlashFXP to the system tray |
| F12 | New instance | Opens a new copy of FlashFXP |
| Alt + X | Exit | Closes FlashFXP |
The 10 Most-Used FlashFXP Shortcuts
If you only memorize a handful, make it these:
- Ctrl + T — Transfer selected items
- Ctrl + Q — Queue selected items
- F5 — Refresh the listing
- F8 — Quick Connect
- F4 — Open Site Manager
- Ctrl + L — Switch between local and remote panes
- F2 — Rename
- Delete — Delete selected items
- Ctrl + E — Edit a file in place
- Ctrl + R — Send a raw command
How to Customize FlashFXP Shortcuts
You can remap almost every command to keys that suit your workflow:
- Open FlashFXP and press F6 to open Preferences.
- Go to the Keyboard section.
- Select the command you want to remap from the list.
- Press the new key combination you want to assign.
- Click Apply, then OK to save.
If a shortcut suddenly stops working, the usual cause is a conflict two commands bound to the same keys. Check the Keyboard list for duplicates, or reset everything to defaults from the same menu.
FlashFXP vs FileZilla vs WinSCP: Shortcut Comparison
FlashFXP leans more heavily on function keys than its main rivals, which is why long-time users tend to move faster in it once the F-keys are muscle memory.
| Action | FlashFXP | FileZilla | WinSCP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refresh | F5 | F5 | Ctrl + R |
| Open site / connection manager | F4 | Ctrl + S | Ctrl + N |
| Rename | F2 | F2 | F2 |
| Delete | Delete | Delete | F8 |
| Open settings/preferences | F6 | (menu) | (menu) |
Note: FileZilla and WinSCP defaults shift between versions and platforms confirm against your current install before relying on them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the shortcut to transfer files in FlashFXP?
Select the files and press Ctrl + T to transfer them immediately, or Ctrl + Q to add them to the queue first and start it later with Ctrl + Z.
How do I open the Site Manager in FlashFXP?
Press F4 to open the Site Manager, or F8 to open the Quick Connect dialog for a one-off connection.
Can I customize FlashFXP keyboard shortcuts?
Yes. Press F6 to open Preferences, go to the Keyboard section, select a command, and assign a new key combination.
Does FlashFXP work on Mac?
No. FlashFXP is a Windows-only FTP client. Mac users typically use Cyberduck, Transmit, or FileZilla instead.
Is FlashFXP still supported?
FlashFXP is developed by OpenSight Software, and its last major release was version 5. Active development has slowed considerably, though the client still runs on modern Windows. Many users now evaluate alternatives such as FileZilla, WinSCP, or CuteFTP.
How many keyboard shortcuts does FlashFXP have?
FlashFXP includes 50+ keyboard shortcuts spanning navigation, file transfer, queue management, selection, marked lists, and connection commands.
What is FXP in FlashFXP?
FXP (File eXchange Protocol) transfers files directly between two remote servers without passing the data through your local machine, which is faster for server-to-server moves.
Download the FlashFXP Shortcuts PDF
Keep every shortcut at your fingertips download the free FlashFXP keyboard shortcuts PDF cheat sheet. Print it, or pin it next to your workspace for quick reference.
FlashFXP’s standout features include FXP server-to-server transfers, multi-firewall and proxy support, speed limiting, scheduled transfers, and remote editing with automatic upload. If you’re weighing alternatives, CuteFTP is the closest comparable Windows client.
Read next:
