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DashMartin
Inspiring
March 25, 2023
Answered

“Modifier Keys” panel missing in Technology Previews Photoshop 24.3 on Surface Pro

  • March 25, 2023
  • 10 replies
  • 3297 views

After updating, I'm no longer getting my Ctrl/Alt/Shift panel toolbar in Photoshop on my Surface Pro. The lack of it greatly hinders my workflow, so how do I get it back? It's no longer in the Technology Preview section of Settings, so I assume the feature is now out of beta, but I can't find it anywhere. Help would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

 

[Subject edited for clarity. Was "Modifier Keys toolbar missing in Photoshop 24.3"]

 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer DashMartin

I've found a 3rd party application that will make up for Photoshop's shortcomings. It's called Numpad Emulator.  It's an onscreen virtual number pad, but customizable. You can remove all the number keys and replace them with just CTRL,ALT and SHIFT. You can also add other keys that Photoshop's Modifier Keys pallette didn't. I hope this helps anyone else coming here to find an answer.

 

Download numpad emulator (sourceforge.net)

10 replies

Participant
August 11, 2024

@CShubert can I get a refund? Since this tool was there when I bought my subscription?

sacb0y
Known Participant
March 27, 2024

Why was this removed? There's so few things tha makes photoshop on touch and on a tablet viable and they remove one of them while the rest of the program remains archaic.

 

It constantly feels like windows users are ignored and they wouldn't pull this crap on OSX. Just like OSX supporting HDR but not windows when it's had HDR for years.

Known Participant
September 8, 2023

What [cursing removed]? Why would you get rid of this without offering a new solution. So frustrating.

CShubert
Community Manager
Community Manager
March 30, 2023

@DashMartin here is why you are not seeing this function:

List of Technology Previews

USE MODIFIER KEYS PALETTE

Note:

With the March release of Photoshop 24.3, we will no longer support the Technology Preview - Modifier Keys Palette.

 

Default state: On

The Modifier Keys Palette is a toolbar that provides quick access to frequently used keyboard modifiers on the Windows touch devices, such as the Surface Pro 3.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/technology-previews.html

 

 

DashMartin
Inspiring
March 30, 2023

Ok, so if it's no longer in the Technology Preview, one would assume it was moved from beta to standard? I can't imagine dumping a useful feature like this all together. It forces people to not update to the newest version. I just don't see the reasoning in removing it.

DashMartin
DashMartinAuthorCorrect answer
Inspiring
March 31, 2023

I've found a 3rd party application that will make up for Photoshop's shortcomings. It's called Numpad Emulator.  It's an onscreen virtual number pad, but customizable. You can remove all the number keys and replace them with just CTRL,ALT and SHIFT. You can also add other keys that Photoshop's Modifier Keys pallette didn't. I hope this helps anyone else coming here to find an answer.

 

Download numpad emulator (sourceforge.net)

PECourtejoie
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 30, 2023

Hi, it might be an unwanted issue.For my part, I'd love it to be available on a Mac, it could be a very nice accessibility feature, as it works also without a stylus.

Participant
March 30, 2023

I'm having the same issue. Still not there so I also downgraded. I'm not sure why they'd take such a useful feature away.

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 27, 2023

@DashMartin 

 

I don't use a Surface Pro, but I do see the issue now. I've changed your subject line for clarity. If Adobe Staff does not answer within a day or two, tag me by pressing @ and choosing my name so I can followup.

 

Jane

 

DashMartin
Inspiring
March 26, 2023

Sure, I rolled back to 24.2.1 and took a screenshot for you. See below.

To answer your question, I generally don't use my hardware keyboard with my Surface. I only use the on screen keyboard for naming files and use Photoshop's built-in Modifier Keys pallette for doing actual work. Using the onscreen keyboard works for some things, but if something I need to get to is under the keyboard (which takes up half the screen) I have to minimize the keyboard which turns off the modifier. 

 

jane-e
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 26, 2023

@DashMartin 

 

Ctrl, Alt, and Shift are keys on a keyboard; they are not part of Photoshop. Are you using an internal or external keyboard with your surface pro? 

 

Try this link, but if it is not what you are looking for, you might try the Microsoft forum.

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/forum/all/surface-pro-on-screen-keyboard-numeric-keypad/bd098350-cc11-46e9-a1aa-190eebe7fad0

 

Do you have a screen shot of what we are looking for?

Jane

 

DashMartin
Inspiring
March 26, 2023

I was able to replicate the issue on my other pc. After update, the modifier keys toolbar disappeared. I hope there's a fix for this soon.