For as long as I can remember, the delete key on my laptop (a Lenovo Yoga 710-IKB currently on Windows 10 version 1903) has deleted two characters instead of one. If I plug in an external USB keyboard, its delete key only deletes one character. How can I get the delete key on my built-in keyboard to delete only one character?
Hi ricecrispies. I suspect what you're experiencing is a mechanical key bounce effect with your delete key. Try Option #2 on this tutorial to turn on a feature called Bounce keys.
Turn On or Off Filter Keys in Windows 10
There's a bit of good theory and a few waveforms of merit on this site. I wouldn't bother with too much of it though.
Switch Bounce and How to Deal with It - Technical Articles
I added the option #2 above after my original post.
I tried adding the bounce keys filter. That did stop the double deletes, but the minimum delay is 0.3 seconds which is way too long. It makes something as simple as simple as typing my name, which has a double letter, very awkward, and it is also impossible to enable the bounce keys filter without also disabling repeat keys, which I don't want to do.
However, knowing now that it is a mechanical problem thanks to your explanation, I have tried simply pressing more firmly on the delete key and that seems to cause fewer double deletes.
One step closer now that we understand the actual cause.
You might search for a 3rd party app that allows more flexibility with the minimum time setting. I once used an app that performed a similar function for a failed mouse button, it worked perfectly for years. Try searching for key bounce remedy or debounce app etc.
Another possibility is if you have another key you use less often than the delete key, sometimes you can remap the delete function to say the scroll key.
I have to leave now but will look around when the next opportunity presents. Please keep us posted if you find something that works. It may assist others in resolving their grief too. Thanks,
Michael
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If you're interested, I could provide a registry tweak to adjust the bounce delay to whatever works best. I was able to make a simple registry key modification to reset the delay to various values including 5 or 10 milliseconds. The bounce delay setting remained at 0.3 seconds (300 msec) however the tweak survived multiple restarts and remained at 10 msec.
If I were testing to fix your double delete key bounce, I'd start at 5 msec and keep doubling until you get the preferred performance. If 5 msec works great, try 2 or even 1 msec. The smaller value will be less likely to cause other keyboard related grief such as difficulty producing double letter values.
I'm a bit uncertain how the bounce delay setting will interact with the repeat keys enabled but I'm able to set both to enabled on my PC. Another disclaimer is that I use version 1809 and the more current versions of Windows 10 may react differently.
Let me know if you'd like to explore this registry tweak to customize the bounce setting. Cheers,
Michael
It sounds as though the info from that link might work, I found a different location.
I changed the delay to 10 msec and that didn't bother typing double letters. I did finally discover that it impeded the use holding the cursor direction buttons to advance or return. Possibly remapping keys is the better solution.
BTW, I located the above registry settings using an app called RegistryChangesView. I captured the first registry sample, then enabled bounce delay and identified the changes that occurred with bounce delay.
Last edited by W10 Tweaker; 26 Jan 2020 at 12:58.
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