Delete key opens pop-up trying to get me to buy Office 365

Resolving Unwanted Office 365 Promotional Pop-ups Triggered by the Delete Key on Windows 11

Many users prefer to utilize the free version of Microsoft Office for basic document editing and management. However, some users encounter intrusive prompts prompting upgrades to Office 365, which can disrupt workflow and diminish the user experience. In particular, a common issue reported involves the Delete key (distinct from Backspace) unintentionally opening these upgrade prompts.

Understanding the Issue

After installing the free Microsoft Office suite, certain users have observed that pressing the Delete key triggers a pop-up encouraging upgrades to Office 365 subscriptions. This behavior is not standard and can be quite disruptive, especially for those who prefer to avoid subscription-based features or do not intend to upgrade.

Technical Context

• The Delete key in Windows is typically used for removing selected content.
• Office applications or the OS may map certain key presses to specific functions or shortcuts.
• Promotional prompts are often embedded within Office applications, which can be triggered through specific keys or actions.

Potential Solutions

While Microsoft Office does not natively support remapping individual keys, there are multiple approaches to resolve this inconvenience:

1. Use Windows’ Built-in Keyboard Remapping Tools

Windows 11 offers PowerToys, a free set of utilities that includes a Keyboard Manager allowing users to remap keys.

Steps to remap the Delete key:

1. Download PowerToys from the official Microsoft repository.
2. Install and launch PowerToys.
3. Navigate to the Keyboard Manager tab.
4. Click Remap a key.
5. Select the Delete key in the input column.
6. Choose a neutral or less disruptive key (e.g., the Pause/Break key or another rarely used key).
7. Confirm and save your settings.

This approach reroutes the Delete key’s function, preventing it from triggering the pop-up.

2. Disable or Remove Office Promotional Add-ins and Alerts

In some cases, the prompts originate from Office’s built-in features or add-ins. To mitigate this:

• Open any Office app (e.g., Word or Excel).
• Navigate to File > Options > Add-ins.
• Under Manage, select COM Add-ins and click Go.
• Uncheck any add-ins related to Office alerts or upgrade suggestions.
• Restart Office and monitor if prompts persist.

Note: This may not directly stop