[EDad][Power Toys]: Control + Spacebar selection shortcut does not work when PowerToys is running in background.

[Priyanshu073]

Microsoft PowerToys version

0.70.1

Installation method

Microsoft Store

Running as admin

None

Area(s) with issue?

Awake

Steps to reproduce

Test Environment:
OS: Windows 11 Version Dev (22454.1000)
App version: 0.70.1
App name: Power Toys

Repro Steps:

1. Launch 'Power Toys' application.
2. Make sure if it is running in background. If its not, turn on PowerAwake.
3. Now open file explorer app, and try to select any file using, ctrl+ space bar key.

Guidelines Reference:
https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Understanding/keyboard.html

Attachment:

WCAG2.1.1_Control.+.Spacebar.selection.shortcut.does.not.work.when.PowerToys.is.running.in.background.mp4

EDad Bug Description:

Issue Description:
When we use a screen reader, we used to be able to deselect an item by pressing control + spacebar on Desktop and File Explorer, when power toys is used control + spacebar doesn't work.

Repro Steps:
Run power toys.
Open file explorer
check with pressing control + spacebar on Desktop and File Explorer

Actual Result:
Pressing control + spacebar on Desktop and File Explorer, when power toys is used control + spacebar doesn't work for select/ deselect.

Expected Result:
Pressing control + spacebar on Desktop and File Explorer, when power toys is used control + spacebar should work for select/ deselect.

==============================================================

From: iguchi@k.tsukuba-tech.ac.jp

To: eDAD@microsoft.com
CC:
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Control + Spacebar does not work with PowerToys

Thank you always. I use a screen reader. I used to be able to deselect an item by pressing control + spacebar on Desktop and File Explorere, but now I cannot. It is the same with Narrator and NVDA. I am 100% sure that this is because of Powertoys because if I terminate PowerToys, I can deselect items. The version is PowerToys v0.70.1 ボタン 1の10 Masaki

✔️ Expected Behavior

User must be select /unselect any file in file explorer using 'ctrl+ space bar', independent of condition PowerToys is running in system tray or not.

❌ Actual Behavior

User is unable to select/ unselect any file in file explorer using 'ctrl+ space bar', when PowerToys is running in the system tray. On pressing the shortcut, it opens in preview mode instead of getting selected.

Other Software

Other application used:
Windows file explorer

[nanaya]

The default shortcut for preview is ctrl-space which directly interferes with file selector shortcut in file explorer. Disabling the shortcut is sufficient to fix the behavior.

That the default is in direct conflict with basic file selection shortcut is kind of baffling to me. I think it shouldn't be enabled by default or the default shortcut should be something else.