key issue ESC key keeps opening basic windows mail client/if uninstalled it opens empty chrome tab.

And the issue is back to the old frequency where every tap on esc brings up edge at this point. Frustrationlevels through the roof.

Hi JK. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

If you reinstalled and it kept the behavior it likely means something you're installing, a tweak, optmiizer, cleaner or modifcation is causing it. ESC key has no default set in a Windows Clean Install. You have to be inside an app or program that triggers it, or set it to do so.

Try resetting the keyboard to defaults:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/reset-keyboard-se...

Then run the Keyboard troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

What also might work is to go into Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start button, choose the Keyboard device, on Driver tab try Updating the driver automatically.

If this fails from the same location try rolling back or Uninstalling the Keyboard driver, which works in a surprising number of cases where keyboard is messed up by Updates. Restart PC to reinstall driver.

See if the keyboard will work in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

You can also remap keyboard keys using one of these methods: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/missing-key-remap...

Check in your BIOS or UEFI firmware Setup for keyboard settings there, too.

If none of these works then go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

Another thing that might help as it solves many problems is to Upgrade to the latest version by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... choosing Download Tool Now, install the tool, open it and choose Upgrade this PC Now. This will save your files and apps while bringing you up to the latest version by the most stable method. It will also bring all of your Updates current and solve most problems since it reinstalls Windows.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

If you're going to reinstall, make it count by doing the gold standard Clean Install in this link which compiles the best possible Install of Windows which will stay that way as long as you stick with the tools and methods given, has zero reported problems, and is better than any amount of money could buy: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

Make sure during the booted install to follow the illustrated steps to delete all partitions down to Unallocated Space to get it cleanest, then click Next to let it auto-create the needed partitions, format them and begin install - this makes it foolproof.

You will get and keep the best possible install to the exact extent you stick with the steps, tools and methods in the linked tutorial. It's a great learning experience that will make you the master of your PC because you will learn everything that works best and how to apply it with your own hands.

Hi JK. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 years awarded Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator, here to help you.

HI

If you reinstalled and it kept the behavior it likely means something you're installing, a tweak, optmiizer, cleaner or modifcation is causing it. ESC key has no default set in a Windows Clean Install. You have to be inside an app or program that triggers it, or set it to do so.

Autorun was cleared and the problem also remained right after booting on the reset OS. Just then ESC opened the basic Mail App. Deleting the Mail App opened Chrome. (Before I selected Chrome as Program to open this unknown pop up with it asked which Program to use. It somehow remembered the choice through the system reset as it doesn't ask and goes straight to chrome when Mail is uninstalled. Uninstalling Chrome then tells me we're opening a .dll which opened with editor is url.dll from system 32 folder.

Try resetting the keyboard to defaults:

http://www.thewindowsclub.com/reset-keyboard-se... **done.**

Then run the Keyboard troubleshooter at Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot.

done.

What also might work is to go into Device Manager, reached by right clicking the Start button, choose the Keyboard device, on Driver tab try Updating the driver automatically.

done.

If this fails from the same location try rolling back or Uninstalling the Keyboard driver, which works in a surprising number of cases where keyboard is messed up by Updates. Restart PC to reinstall driver.

done.

See if the keyboard will work in Safe Mode with Networking, or Safe Mode: https://www.digitalcitizen.life/4-ways-boot-saf...

done.

You can also remap keyboard keys using one of these methods: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/missing-key-remap...

tried auto hotkey with a script forcing esc to remap to esc.

Check in your BIOS or UEFI firmware Setup for keyboard settings there, too.

fresh install through reset, keyboard operates on windows default driver and there is no drivers from manufacturer (Hama uRage Exodus²)

If none of these works then go over this checklist to make sure the install is set up correctly, optimized for best performance, and any needed repairs get done: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wiki...

done.

Start with Step 4 to turn off Startup freeloaders which can conflict and cause issues, then Step 7 to check for infection the most thorough way, then step 10 to check for damaged System Files. Then continue with the other steps to go over your install most thoroughly.

Update your drivers and BIOS/UEFI firmware from PC or motherboard maker's Support Downloads web page, using the full model number, Serial Number or Dell Service Tag on sticker. Compare the latest drivers available for download with the ones presently installed in Device Manager reached by right clicking the Start Menu. Make sure you have the latest BIOS or UEFI firmware, Chipset, Display (Video), Sound, USB3, Bluetooth, Network and all other drivers, or else download and install the latest now.

Updating drivers from the Device Manager or Windows Update is rarely enough. The most basic thing we need to learn to maintain a PC is keep the latest manufacturer's drivers installed from their Support Downloads web page.

done.

Another thing that might help as it solves many problems is to Upgrade to the latest version by installing the Media Creation Tool from this link http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/m... choosing Download Tool Now, install the tool, open it and choose Upgrade this PC Now. This will save your files and apps while bringing you up to the latest version by the most stable method. It will also bring all of your Updates current and solve most problems since it reinstalls Windows.

latest version active.

I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. If you'll wait to rate whether my post helped you, I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

not resolved, only thing left I can see is to completely wipe the hard drives and go with an entirely new windows install and basically discard anything ever done on this machine, may have to alcoholwipe the drives and wrap em in condoms for extra safety.

This is the 2nd keyboard with this issue, technically 2.5th keyboard as the current one has been what I used before the one that got sacrificed to the gods of rage when this issue came around on it. Current keyboard is a brand new purchase of the model before the one that got this problem after a year of use like last week.

________________________________________________________

Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.