Microsoft could replace the Menu key – which you probably never use – with a new Office key
Key findings
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Of all the keys on your keyboard, the Menu key – which sits to the right of the spacebar – is likely to be the least used, andMicrosoftwants to change that by making it a dedicated Office key.
This is according to prolific Microsoft leakerWalkingCat, who has posted an internal survey from Microsoft which appears to show the company is looking at how it can make that unused key actually useful.
the Office key concept https://t.co/TAuu7l8y8W pic.twitter.com/CF8FQGEzR8June 18, 2019
According to the survey, Microsoft is asking respondents if they have used a keyboard with the new Office key on a PC runningWindows 10 May 2019 Update, and if they have, how useful they found the new key.
The survey asks if they used any of the new shortcuts, how Microsoft can improve it, and if users would like to see the Office key on a laptop.
Respondents are also asked to rate the Office key concept.
Making use of the key
It’s fair to say that the Menu key is rarely used by most users – and many keyboard manufacturers often replace it with their own function key – so it’s good to see Microsoft exploring ways of making the key more useful.
However, from the sound of things, it seems like the Office key will only be used for Office shortcuts. That’s great if you’re an Office power user, but if you only dabble in the software – or you don’t use it at all – then that new Office key is going to remain as unused as the Menu key it replaces.
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It looks like the Menu key will be coming to Microsoft-made keyboards – if Microsoft does go ahead with it – but there shouldn’t be an issue with non-Microsoft keyboards using the existing Menu key as the Office key in the future – you just won’t get that fancy Office logo.
ViaMSPowerUser
Matt is TechRadar’s Managing Editor for Core Tech, looking after computing and mobile technology. Having written for a number of publications such as PC Plus, PC Format, T3 and Linux Format, there’s no aspect of technology that Matt isn’t passionate about, especially computing and PC gaming. He’s personally reviewed and used most of the laptops in our best laptops guide - and since joining TechRadar in 2014, he’s reviewed over 250 laptops and computing accessories personally.
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