Configure which action opens the menu, then test navigation without the mouse. The Windows key mapping, menu focus, search input, and access to settings are separate parts of a usable keyboard workflow.
What to do
- Open Controls in Open-Shell settings and note the configured Windows-key action. Keep a documented way to reach the standard Windows menu as well.
- Open the menu using the chosen key. Use arrow keys to move between visible entries and Enter to open a harmless local folder or application.
- Type a known application name when the search box is enabled. Compare the highlighted result with the application actually launched.
- Test Escape to leave menus and dialogs. Review font size and contrast if keyboard focus is hard to see, and compare with a supplied style.
Check the result
Complete the same task without touching the mouse: open the menu, find an app, launch it, and return to normal desktop use. Check focus visibility at your display scale.
Limits & precautions
Specific shortcuts depend on configured controls and menu style. This workflow is not an accessibility certification or a promise that every third-party skin exposes focus equally well.
Questions & answers
Are the Windows key and clicking Start always identical?
No. Open-Shell Controls can assign different behavior to different actions.
Should I test keyboard navigation after adding a skin?
Yes. Check visible focus, search, and long menu labels again.
Sources & scope
Documentation checked October 30, 2026. These instructions are documentation-led, not a claim of hands-on testing on your Windows build.