Bug: Keyboard shortcuts only work when focused on parts of the UI

[nwalkewicz]

Description

Keyboard shortcuts don't work unless the user focuses on certain parts of the UI. So far, I've found that the sidebar and main content panel (where the actual files and folders are listed) do accept keyboard shortcuts, but nowhere else does to my knowledge. This can cause unexpected behavior when users can only sometimes use shortcuts, depending on which section of the UI happened to be clicked/focused on last.

Specifically the issue I have is that I can't use Ctrl+L as soon as I opened Files to focus on the address bar.

Alternatively, if this is expected behavior and it's not desirable to allow keyboard shortcuts under all circumstances (such as while typing in the address bar or search bar), another solution could be to automatically put focus on the main content panel on startup so these shortcuts work immediately.

Steps To Reproduce

1. Open Files.
2. Without clicking anywhere, attempt to execute a keyboard shortcut. For this example, let's say Ctrl+L.
3. Nothing happens.

Files Version

3.8.0.0

Windows Version

Win11Pro 23H2 22635.4800

User ID

098f73da-2b32-488b-99e1-f9b3f5b80dfd

Log File

debug.log

[Josh65-2201]

Thanks for the report, can you see if this is an issue in the preview version. https://files.community/download
If it is, how are you opening Files? Keyboard shortcuts only work if the window is focused.

[nwalkewicz]

It seems to only be an issue when opening with Win+E (after having Advanced > "Set Files as the default file manager" turned on). The same behavior occurs in stable and preview.

[Josh65-2201]

Is the Files window focused when you open it? I can't reproduce this.