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

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See Also:

• AutoHotkey: Hotkeys

Ctrl+E (or Ctrl+F) followed by Esc

Works in Windows 7, 8.1, 10