MS Word 2016 Alt-Click on a word to open Research Bug

I’ve not had a chance yet but that is how this whole thing started a month or so ago. A few months ago we got new Dell laptops with Windows 10 and Office 2010 and then a month or so later we installed Office 2016/365 and the trouble started from day one and the other laptops do the same. Alt+click never worked. Now I’m to uninstall in the hopes that, that will be different from the first time when Office 2016/365 had never been install and will be different from a full download and repair install I’ve tried and few times. Not the quick repair.

Maybe I was looking at Word 2010 when I thought I saw it work the one time as the full download repair has not worked again.

Looks like Beth Melton is the only one to see and then fix it.

Looks like Beth Melton is the only one to see and then fix it.

I've checked this here and there, since what I did, didn't work work for you, and it's worked. Until today. Mine isn't working anymore either. It did a couple days ago. I tried the same thing I did before, adding another proofing language, and that didn't resolve it this time. I also renamed the entire Word key in the Registry and that didn't work either. As I suspected, the language change was a coincidence.

I started Word in Safe Mode. Still didn't work. Started it normally, and encountered a couple of ribbon interface errors on two new tools: AutoSave and Read Aloud. AutoSave no longer appears on my QAT (I'm aware that it isn't working yet) and Read Aloud is flaky. Sometimes it's there and other times it isn't. I restarted Word a couple of times in both Safe Mode and normally, trying to reproduce the interface error. This may be another coincidence, but my Alt+Click is working again. I'm certain it wasn't working when I started typing this reply. I've been documenting everything as I've tried it, in case I stumble on a magic solution. 

There's definitely something odd going on. Personally, I'm not going through the hamster in the wheel ritual of reinstalling Office. I know that's not the problem. Right now, I'm trying to eliminate Dell utilities, as I also have a Dell laptop. Since that's a commonality, I think that's where the issue lies. Keep trying your Alt-Click here and there. I don't think you were looking at Word 2010 when it was working. It appears to be sporadic behavior. If mine stops working again, I'm going to make note of all running tasks/services. You may want to do the same. I did disable Dell Data Vault (ended the task) prior to mine working again. It could be creating a conflict since it records keyboard inputs.

I'll update this thread with any new information.

Thanks for the effort Beth. I wish MS cared half as much. I feel lucky if I can install a simple Windows update anymore.

Thanks for the effort Beth. I wish MS cared half as much. I feel lucky if I can install a simple Windows update anymore. 

Microsoft actually does care. Please don't judge the product managers of a product based on the MSFT Moderators. :-) I say that because I reached out to a few MS product managers and this is now on their radar. What they would like you to do is use Send a Frown and tell them about this issue. You don't need to be detailed, as I've provided a lot of details to them already. All you really need is to use the key words "Alt+Click not functioning" and a brief description to help routed it to the right person. If you could do this, it will be very helpful to in solving the problem. When you use Send a Frown, they also receive information about your Word installation and enviornment. I'm hoping they can compare it what I have sent as well and figure this out. Oh, and mention you're using a Dell laptop. I suspect that's a factor as well. They really do read the Send a Frown/Smile feedback and, in this situation, it's a helpful tool to enable them to obtain more details.

:( Sent.