How to press the <Insert> key when it's not there?

Anonymous
2013-02-11T22:28:22+00:00

Given that there is no <Insert> key on the Surface/Type keyboard, what key combination will generate the <Insert> key scan code?

Surface | Accessories | Surface Type Cover

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2013-02-14T12:15:52+00:00

While a bit of a kludge, leave your window active, click the window key to the 'Start' panel.  Drag top or bottom to expose All Apps and open it.  Drag all the way right to the ease of use section and it's On-Screen Keyboard.  Open it.  Drag from the left edge to expose your app.   Insert is middle of the right side of the kb.  Pause is there too (window +Pause is one of my favs... with no pause key on other easily access kbs on the Surface)

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-01-16T22:45:08+00:00

    No worries :D

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-17T14:17:07+00:00

    Having started this thread 11 months ago, I cannot help interjecting:

    1. It's true that anyone can use any standard 101/104 USB or BT keyboard, and regain access to an <Insert> key.
    2. It's also true that the innovative Touch & Type Keyboards are the official MS keyboards for Surface tablet. It is possible that there is a good economy-of-space argument for omitting the physical <Insert>key. It is also inexplicable that the functionality was not retained by substituting a valid key combination.  There were, and probably still are, hundreds of available key combinations.
    3. I am not sure the reference to the 7-year-old "MS Keyboard Layout Creator" is helpful unless people are still running either of the supported operating systems, XP or Vista.  It did start it on my Windows 7 laptop, but malfunctioned in refusing to load any of its keyboards. 
    4. This is really an unforced MS error.  At any point they could end this irritant with a simple update of the keyboard firmware.  Where are they anyway?
    5. Reading this morning's paper I've found the only logical explanation for the demise of <Insert>.  MS must have subcontracted the Surface keyboard design to the NY/NJ Port Authority.  The <Insert> key failed to support Chris Christie in his re-election bid for governor.  The hapless former key is now suffering the consequences.  Unless Microsoft supplies a better explanation or a firmware update, I think that's the storyline that ought to stick.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-17T14:35:45+00:00

    here's another tool that might help, posted by another surface pro user:

    http://www.surfaceforums.net/forum/microsoft-surface-pro/4793-how-map-insert-key-your-surface-keyboard.html

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-28T14:19:39+00:00

    Thanks for the reference to this other thread with its useful key remapping utility.  Sorry for the slow response (and even sorrier if Microsoft doesn't do something about the <insert> key).

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