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.

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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
    2022-03-16T19:11:07+00:00

    Hello, I have the same issue in he very latest version of Outlook desjtop. Can you help?

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-04-22T23:21:06+00:00

    My best fix for the "Delete" button issue is below... has eliminated this issue for me:

    • Navigation: File --> Options --> Mail --> (under "Replies and forwards" tab) check the "Open replies and forwards in a new window"

    Explanation: Emails won't be deleted if you are typing within an email that is in it's own window (i.e. - emails are only deleted by pressing the "Delete" button when typing an email within the Reading pane). Simply navigate through the above path and ensure the "Open replies and forwards in a new window" option is checked to ensure your replies and forwards always pop out in a separate window (i.e. - not in the Reading pane) and do not vanish by hitting the "Delete" button while typing an email.

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