Outlook 365 delete key on keyboard deletes message rather than text when using Preview Pane feature

Anonymous
2020-07-16T16:45:09+00:00

Recently, when I am drafting an email from the preview pane, if I hit the delete key on my keyboard as I am typing, it will delete the entire message rather than the text I wish to delete. If you hit delete multiple times (as you would if you need to delete a few words) before you realize it the first delete button press deletes your current draft email, puts you back in your inbox. Each subsequent delete key press deletes emails from your inbox before you realize what is going on.

Only mitigation is to pop out the draft email and the delete keyboard function works as designed.

Is there a setting that was added recently for the above use case? This is horrible and pretty much negates the purpose of using the preview pane in Outlook as it was designed.

Outlook | Windows | Classic Outlook for Windows | For home

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Anonymous
2020-07-23T14:19:27+00:00

The Outlook Team had a bug with this issue previously.  It was fixed in version 16.0.13001.10000.  What version is your Outlook (File, Office Account, under About Outlook)?

If you have a version higher than above it should be fixed.  Its possible there is a new issue though if you are still seeing it.  In case you have the option to open a ticket click Help, Contact Support.  Not everyone has that but please check if you do.

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-08-19T16:32:48+00:00

    Sam,

    That is an intriguing aspect to investigate.  The shortcuts are listed here, https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/keyboard-shortcuts-for-outlook-3cdeb221-7ae5-4c1d-8c1d-9e63216c1efd.  If you search the page for Delete there are a few different options.  I'll also try testing these and see if I can repro.  If you isolate it further please share your findings.  If I get any progress I'll post back.

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-08-17T12:58:45+00:00

    I can download the file from the site but the installer cannot download the necessary files once open since my admin blocks it :(

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  3. Anonymous
    2020-08-17T00:28:59+00:00

    Also experiencing this issue (intermittently) on 16.0.12527.20612.

    The delete key will delete messages when composing via the preview pane. 

    I'm on semi-annual enterprise but will switch over to monthly channel to get the latest update and report back. 

    My case is also similar to a few others: I got a new laptop in the past few months.

    I wonder if there's a factor where this only affects new(er) installs?

    I'm probably going to sound dramatic but it's been one of the most infuriating issues I can ever remember! Happy to volunteer time to the In-App team.

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  4. Anonymous
    2020-08-16T19:23:52+00:00

    Unfortunately my organization is a bit behind on the latest versions; we're still at 12730.20270. No way to get this upgraded on your end?

    If you go to https://portal.office.com/account/?ref=MeControl and select "Install Office", you can download an Office365 installer that will install the latest version of Office365 apps.  Admins can block users' ability to download this, but if you are able to download it always installs the latest Stable channel version, even if my organization hasn't pushed an upgrade yet.  This works for me, at least, so ymmv.

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