Esc key no longer exits anything. Resetting preferences didn't fix it

[Justinb87]

Been using the Esc key for years to exit many tools I am using (exit text or Ctrl+T without saving, etc), but today all of a sudden it doesn't work. I followed what other topics have said and reset my preferences, but it didn't do anything for the Esc key, it only made me lose all the other settings and workplace I had saved. 

[Justinb87]

Holding Shift while using Ctrl+T no longer lets me keep the original shape either...

[gener7]

If you saved a Workspace, it will be under Window  > Workspace.

Sometimes outside programs like video driver software can "trap" the keystroke preventing Photoshop from using it. If your are using a tablet, that's another. Think of anything you recently added.

Recently some keys on my keyboard have come non-responsive. I'd look for a faulty or dirty keyboard and have it cleaned.

[Justinb87]

I haven't added anything new, no new programs or accessories, and I do not have a tablet.

As for dirty or faulty keys, the Shift key appears to work perfectly fine everywhere else so I'd have to say that probably isn't it

[gener7]

A simple uninstall/reinstall can be tried, but some configuration files are kept intact where the problem might lie. Using the cleaner tool would remove those:

https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/kb/cc-cleaner-tool-installation-problems.html

However if you want to be sure, install a previous version and see if you have the same issue.

https://helpx.adobe.com/download-install/using/install-previous-version.html

[Justinb87]

I just tried a previous version, and holding Shift while using Ctrl+T does keep the proportions, but Esc still does not work. 

I uninstalled 22.5 and reinstalled it, and the update is the same as before. 

Would the cleaner tool be my only option left?

[gener7]

We are not formally Adobe Technical Support, more like volunteer. If you can get a chat going with them, see if they know something we are not privy to. I don't really want to have you run the Cleaner Tool and come up empty.

[jane-e · Accepted solution]

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@Justinb87 wrote:

Holding Shift while using Ctrl+T no longer lets me keep the original shape

The default now is to keep images proportional without the Shift key when using Free Transform. Adding the Shift key will distort.

You can also click the Link button in between the W and H in the options bar to toggle the behavior. Or change it in Preferences to Legacy Free Transform.

~ Jane

[Justinb87]

Yea, I just discovered this last night while explaining the problem to the girlfriend. 4.5 years of always needing to press Shift for it to work, now all of a sudden I'm not supposed to press the Shift key anymore, of course.

Thank you for your response, and I will keep the Link in mind if I ever have trouble in the future. 

[jane-e]

Been using the Esc key for years to exit many tools I am using (exit text or Ctrl+T without saving, etc), but today all of a sudden it doesn't work.

By @Justinb87

You're welcome, Justin. In addition, this part of your question was never addressed:

For the Type tool, go to Preferences > Type > and uncheck "Use Escape key to commit text" (meaning "Use Escape to Cancel Text")

I'm not sure why Escape to exit Free Transform isn't working for you. It is for me. What is the screen tip when you hover over the Cancel button?

I don't see keyboard shortcuts for cancelling or accepting Free Transform in Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts, but maybe someone else knows if they exist.

One thing that may or may not work is to "Reset all warning dialogs" from Preferences > General. You'll have to choose whether to save on the Cloud or your computer again along with other things, but it's not like resetting Preferences.

~ Jane

[kalaharibob]

This same issue has been bugging me too – I have been a Photoshop user for 28 years and to lose this function is VERY hard to get used to, and really slows down my workflow!

I did find a button under Keyboard Shortcuts that looked promising, but it has no effect on the ESC key! And yes, I did restart. This seems to be a genuine glitch that Adobe are not addressing. They tell you to read their communities, but I do wish they would read them themselves!

[jane-e]

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@kalaharibob wrote:

I did find a button under Keyboard Shortcuts that looked promising, but it has no effect on the ESC key!

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Hi

The checkbox for Legacy Undo applies only to the old Undo behavior where Cmd+Z was a toggle for Undo/Redo instead on multiple Undos as it is now. You are correct that is has no effect on the Escape key.

I notice that you are using "Photoshop Defaults (modified)". Do you know how you modified them? You might try clicking the Save button (just underneath) and save your shortcuts so you can return to them, then try "Photoshop Defaults" to see if Escape works.

Also read the entire post just before yours (from me) with the screenshot that shows the checkbox to enable Escape to commit text. I don't want Escape to commit text!

Do you know when this started happening for you? Sometimes another application takes over your shortcuts. It could even be a browser. To find out, you need to reboot with nothing else running (check your Startup Apps) and see if Escape works in Photoshop.

Let us know if any of this helps.

"They tell you to read their communities, but I do wish they would read them themselves!"

Adobe staff does read the communities! The Feedback forum merged with this one in the summer of 2021 and staff is now on this forum. There are also labels at the top where you can tag your new post as Discussion, Bug, or Idea. 

Jane

[Miss e248783715h9w]

I'm having the exact same problem having just started using Adobe Creative Cloud

[ariannap20520194]

I just encountered the same issue. 
Esc Key didn't exit the Transform mode anymore.
After I quit all the Apps and restarted the Computer (Mac) it worked again.