How To Fix Shift F10 Not Working In Windows 11

Shift F10 is a keyboard shortcut used mainly to open the right-click context menu for the selected item or the folder. However, Shift F10 is sometimes not working in Windows 11 due to either a bug or some other issue. 

Key Takeaways

• Shift F10 is a keyboard shortcut usually used to access the right-click menu, but its functionality may differ across different applications.
• The most common reasons for Shift F10 not working are a faulty keyboard, an outdated keyboard driver, a disabled context menu, or application-based restrictions.
• The issue can be resolved by checking the keyboard and updating its drivers, disabling sticky keys, editing the Windows registry, or creating a new user profile.

What Does Shift F10 Do?

Shift F10 commonly activates the right-click context menu in Windows 11 for the presently selected item. This could be an application’s file, folder, desktop icon, or UI component. Simply, it functions like right-clicking with your mouse or pressing the context menu key on the keyboard.

Also Read: How To Fx Spacebar Not Working In Windows 11

You should also know that keyboard shortcuts like Shift + F10 may not always do the same action. It may vary across different applications being used and depends on the context. Most of the time, though, it will launch the context menu for your chosen item.

Common Causes And Signs of The Issue

It’s important to understand why Shift+F10 might not work as intended in Windows 11 before implementing the fixes.

Various factors can cause this issue, such as:

1. Faulty Keyboard
2. Driver Issues
3. Context Menu Disabled
4. Application Specific Issues
5. Corrupt User Profile

It is essential to recognize the signs of the problem before applying the fixes, as this helps identify the underlying reason. Knowing the exact cause behind the issue saves time, eliminating needless debugging.

Here are a few signs of Shift F10 not working:

1. Unable to launch context menu using keyboard
2. Unable to use Shift F10 for application-specific purposes
3. Physical issues with the keyboard, like broken keys
4. Erratic behavior of the keyboard

Also Read: How To Restart the Computer With a Keyboard

How To Troubleshoot Shift F10 Not Working In Windows 11

I suggest the following fixes if you are facing the issue:

1. Check The Keyboard
2. Disable Sticky keys
3. Modify Ease Of Access Settings
4. Update The Keyboard Drivers
5. Check For Application-specific Issues
6. Edit The Windows Registry
7. Create A New User Profile

Check The Keyboard

The first thing to do if Shift F10 is not working is to check your keyboard. Inspect your keyboard for any connectors, cables, or key damage.

Ensure that the keys are free of any foreign objects or debris that can prevent them from working properly. If you notice dirt buildup, clean your keyboard with compressed air or gently remove and clean each key individually.

Check if other keys on your keyboard are functioning properly. This procedure lets you determine whether the problem only affects the Shift or F10 keys or whether other keys are also impacted. You may attach an external USB keyboard if using a laptop to see if the problem lies in the built-in keyboard.

Disable Sticky Keys

The Sticky Keys feature makes using keyboard shortcuts easier by keeping modifier keys active. These allow you to press and release the modifier key like Alt or Ctrl before pressing the subsequent key.

To disable the Sticky Keys, follow these steps:

1. Click the Windows search box and search for the Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, select the option of “Ease of Access.”
3. If you don’t see this option, click “View by” in the top right corner and choose “Category.”

   

4. Select the “Ease of Access Center” option.

   

5. Scroll down to locate the “Make the keyboard easier to use” option and select it.

   

6. Disable the Sticky Keys option.

   

7. Select “Apply.”

Modify Ease of Access Settings

As the name suggests, Ease of access settings make accessibility easier for you on your computer. Sometimes, these settings can cause issues like Shift F10 not working in Windows 11, so you must modify them. EasyTechGeek on YouTube used this method to solve this issue. We tried this method on our own to verify it, and it worked.

Here’s what to do:

1. Click on the search icon and search for the Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, change the view to Category as previously explained.
3. Find the option of Ease of Access and select it.
4. Click on “Make the keyboard easier to use” inside the Ease of Access Center.

   

5. Check the box for “Control the mouse with the keyboard.”
6. Enable “Turn on Toggle Keys” and “Turn on Filter Keys.”

   

7. Click “Apply” to apply the changes, and once the Apply button is greyed out, uncheck the boxes again.
8. This will refresh these services.

Update The Keyboard Drivers

An outdated keyboard driver could also be the culprit behind the Shift F10 shortcut not working. Updating the concerned driver will usually solve the issue. 

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press Windows Key + X and choose the option of Device Manager.
2. In Device Manager, locate the “Keyboards” section and expand it.
3. Right-click each keyboard device listed and select the “Update driver” option.

   

4. Choose “Search automatically for drivers.”

   

5. Let Windows search for and update the drivers for your keyboard devices.
6. Restart your computer.

Check For Application Specific Issues

If Shift F10 is working fine in some applications and isn’t working in a specific one, the issue may not be system-wide but exclusive to the particular application.

Follow these steps if such is the case:

1. Check to see if the concerned application is updated first. Try reinstalling the application if updating it doesn’t fix the issue.
2. If the problem persists, go through the settings or preferences of the concerned application to see if there are options for context menus or keyboard shortcuts. Ensure that Shift+F10 is not deactivated or allocated to another task.
3. Check if Shift F10 works in the concerned application after starting your computer in Safe Mode. Safe Mode can assist in determining whether third-party software or drivers are causing issues by loading only the necessary drivers and services.

Edit The Windows Registry

The Windows Registry is like a database where Windows configuration settings are saved. Enabling the Context menus in the Windows Registry could help resolve the Shift F10 not working Windows 11 issue.

Here’s how to edit it: 

1. Press Win + R to launch the Run console.
2. Type in “regedit” in the Run console and press Enter to access the Windows Registry.
3. The Windows Registry is organized hierarchically like a file system.
4. Now, you have to navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer 
5. The HKEY_CURRENT_USER key holds the configuration options of the user presently logged in.

   

6. Search for the DWORD value “NoViewContextMenu” in the “Explorer” key.
7. This value controls whether context menus are enabled or disabled in Windows Explorer.
8. Double-click on “NoViewContextMenu” to change its value.
9. If you don’t see the option of “NoViewContextMenu” in the list, right-click and select New.

   

10. Click the “DWORD (32-bit) value” option and rename it to “NoViewContextMenu.”

    

11. If the value is set to 0, the Context menus are activated or vice versa.
12. If the value of “NoViewContextMenu” is set to 1, modify it to 0 by typing “0” in the “Value data” column.

    

13. Click “OK” and close the Registry editor.

Create A New User Profile

A corrupt user profile may cause multiple issues, including keyboard shortcut problems like Shift F10. You can resolve these issues by creating a new user profile.

Here’s how to do it: 

1. Select the Start button, then click the user symbol or your profile picture to access user settings.

   

2. Go to the user settings and choose “Accounts.”
3. Choose the option of “Family & other users.”

   

4. Depending on your system, select “Add account” or “Other users” under the option of “Your family.”

   

5. When prompted, choose the “I don’t have this person’s sign-in information”  option.
6. Select “Add a user without a Microsoft account” in the following window to make a new local user account.

   

7. Follow the instructions to create a username and a suitable account password.

Bypassing the Network Screen While Setting Up Windows

If your Shift F10 is not working, you might face trouble setting up Windows. You might get stuck on the network error screen with no apparent way out. But the good news is you can bypass the network error screen even if your Shift F10 is not working.

R Country Computers on YouTube used this method to solve this issue. I have also tried it on my PC, and it worked.

1. Click the Accessibility settings icon in the bottom right corner.

   

2. Activate the on-screen keyboard by clicking on the On-screen Keyboard option.
3. Click Options on the on-screen keyboard.
4. Click on the “Control whether the On-screen Keyboard starts when I sign-in.”

   

5. Close the On-screen keyboard.
6. Now, click Yes on the language selection screen to proceed until you arrive on the Network screen.
7. Press the ALT Tab and click on the Accessibility menu screen.

   

8. This menu is open in the background, and you can interact with it.
9. Press the Tab key six times to highlight the desired option in the background, then press the space bar once to select it.
10. Type in cmd.exe and press enter.
11. The command prompt is open in the background.
12. Now type in the following command: Taskkill /f /im oobenetworkerror
13. Press Enter.
14. This command will kill the network error screen.
15. You have successfully bypassed the network screen without using the Shift F10 combination.

Dayan Shahid

[How To Guides Specialist]

Dayan Shahid is a skilled mechanical engineer passionate about technology. With certifications in various programming languages and subjects ranging from microcontrollers to aerial robotics, Dayan can effortlessly present complex technical topics in an engaging way. His ability to bridge the gap between theory and practical applications sets him apart as he continues to inspire others through their insightful content.