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This is not an "error" but just a question about convenience.

In XP Windows Explorer to overwrite an existing file you were given a simple prompt containing "Yes"/"No". Furthermore, you could use keyboard accelerators to trigger the "Yes" instead of using the mouse.

With Windows 7 it has this huge dialog box, with options, and you must either use the mouse or Tab to the option to select. Just not very "backwards compatible" to Windows XP. I honestly find it a step in the wrong direction.

Is there a way in Windows 7 to get the XP like prompting back?

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migrated from serverfault.com Aug 11 '10 at 13:58

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By default, shortcut keys in Windows 7 are hidden. You can enable them, which will underline the shortcut keys on dialog buttons that have them. The procedure is outlined here: http://www.microsoft.com/enable/training/windowsvista/accesskeys.aspx.

I think you'll find that the shortcut key for the Yes button is still Alt-Y.

Microsoft wants Windows to be accessible, and one of the ways it does that is to make it possible to do (almost) anything with the keyboard. It's just a matter of finding out how.

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Ah, didn't think of the underlines because I use TeraCopy all the time... I want to add one more thing: You can also show the underlines by holding the ALT key. – Tom Wijsman Aug 11 '10 at 14:20
I'm trying to think of something you CAN'T do with the keyboard, actually...any ideas? (Windows is really good about accessibility.) – Shinrai Aug 11 '10 at 15:22
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@Shinrai: Well, you can't draw things in MSPaint with the keyboard. <grin> – boot13 Aug 11 '10 at 15:42
I really meant interactions with the shell, haha! – Shinrai Aug 11 '10 at 16:14
Ok - I followed the steps. In fact I did have "underline keyboard shortcuts and access keys" UNCHECKED. After checking it, I do see the keyboard accelerators show up on the dropdown of my applications. BUT - the dialog which appears when I try to overwrite a file does not have any accelerators. I can tab to it no problem. This isn't a "HUGE" deal. But when you work a lot on both Windows 7 and Windows XP it would be nice that there be a little more consistency for simple tasks like copying files. I think my brain is just "wired" to do these same steps. – M Schenkel Aug 12 '10 at 20:00
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TeraCopy can do this, I have just tested this and you just have to hit SPACE.

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