How to make Quick-Search CTRL-K work on Windows

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1

How to make CTRL-K work on Windows

There is a new “Quick search” Hotkey in 2026.2: CTRL+K

That’s great, except that if you use Edge (or Chrome, which has the same problem) on Windows, it’s the worst possible key combination, because that combination is already used to launch an Internet search :frowning:

So if this is frustrating for you you can do the following:

  • open the registry editor
  • Find the Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge key (if the Edge key does not exist create it)
  • add a new string value: ConfigureKeyboardShortcuts
  • change its value to {“disabled”: [“focus_search”]}

Should look like this

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And now you can enjoy the new HA Quick Search :wink:

Note: As Edge is my primary browser I did not look at a solution for Chrome

To automate: edit a file called fix.reg and enter

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"ConfigureKeyboardShortcuts"="{\"disabled\": [\"focus_search\"]}"

and just double click to fix the problem

2

Interesting. I never use Ctrl-K in my browsers, so I didn’t even realize there was a conflict. I checked, and that shortcut is used by all the big browsers, including Chrome and Firefox. It does seem an odd choice.

3

I did not know either until HA selected this shortcut

4

It might be site dependent. When I press Ctrl+K on this forum, I get a filter for my chats here:

image
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You’re right about the behaviour on every other site though (I only tested a couple of random ones).

I’m not on 2026.2 so can’t check, but maybe it only works properly with the local IP address and not when using an external url?

5

Strange, when I press Ctrl-K is n my Edge I am getting the HA prompts.

1 Like
6

Yes, you’re right, it depends on the site or extensions used.
By default, Edge uses Ctrl+K to “Open a search query in the address bar.” See Keyboard shortcuts in Microsoft Edge - Microsoft Support

This shortcut is widely used, and many sites and extensions override its behavior.
For example, on the forum, it does what you describe.
In addition, depending on how you access HA with a browser (local, tunnel, etc.), it may behave differently…

In the release notes, @Frenck writes:

My favorite feature in this version? The completely redesigned quick search! … you’re going to love this one

So how frustrating it is not to be able to use it, especially now that it’s so difficult to access the developer tools page…

If you use Edge, this tip allows you to use this new feature that I love. :wink:

7

If ctrl-k works for you it might be because you are accessing HA locally. In that case yes ctrl-k works

8

I will have to test that.

My occasional remote access is through VPN though, and mostly with a smartphone. Hence no Ctrl-K :smile: