Tip of the week # 663
15 July 2021


Turn on the underscored letter option (Windows 10) *

As you know (see related tips at the bottom ;) I absolutely love Windows 10, but there are certain settings that drive me around the bend. One of those is that I can no longer press the underscored letter to activate a command.

What do I mean? Well, back in the days when a blog was called a web log the ribbons were menus and all commands could be used by holding down the ALT key and typing an underscored letter. With the introduction of Office 2007 the menus were replaced by ribbons, but occasionally underscored letters still pop up, such as when you close a file without saving ...

Or when you right-click somewhere ...

So if you like the idea you can simply press the letter n when you don't want to save the file or use the relevant underlined letter when you are a right-mouse clicker, why not change the setting?

Here's how:

  1. Press the WIN key and type access keys.
  2. Make sure Underline access key shortcuts in menus when possible is selected and press ENTER.
  3. In the Change how keyboard shortcuts work section click on the button underneath Underline access keys when available to turn it on.

Next time you close all your files you can simply press the letter S or N to save or not. Have a go and see whether you like it. (I do!)

Related tips

  1. Arrange windows side-by-side without being asked what to snap next to it - tip_659.php
  2. Show running applications and find recently opened documents - tip_644.php
  3. Show the day of the week in the taskbar - tip_647.php
  4. Set the Print Screen key to open screen snipping - tip_603.php
  5. View and paste your copied items from one place : tip_615.php

PS To help you put these tips into practice I developed a series of 60-minute webinars, giving you the opportunity to see the hints, tips and time-saving shortcuts in action. I also offer 15-minute sessions for you and your colleagues.


* Unless stated otherwise this tip is written for Microsoft 365 desktop apps and Windows 10 users, but might also be useful in Office 2010, 2013 and 2016.