Google is finally addressing a flaw in its Chrome browser that can see users losing everything they’ve been working on.
Chrome is the world’s most popular web browser, but it also has a couple of irritating flaws. One of those relates to its use of backspace button on your keyboard, which Google also uses as a ‘back’ shortcut.
If you’re inputting a lot of text into a form or working on a web document, this can result in losing a whole bunch of work with a simple button press.
Google is set to start rolling out a new version of Chrome that will disable this back button shortcut. It’s already made its way to some development versions of the browser.
“The reason we’re making this change is that users regularly lose data because they hit the backspace button thinking that a form field is focused. After years of this issue, we realise we’re not going to have a better way to solve that problem,” says Google.
Of course, a lot of long-time Chrome users have grown accustomed to the backspace shortcut, and have voiced their displeasure at the feature’s imminent removal.
Related: How to block Flash in Chrome before Google does it for you
This perhaps explains why Google is cautiously applying the ‘fix’ for now, as it means it can restore the original functionality “should there be sufficient outcry.”
Google has also assured frustrated power users that it is working on an extension to enable them to reinstate the backspace function manually.
Next, take a look at how to boost your Wi-Fi signal:
What do you think of Google’s tweak? Meddlesome or welcome? Let us know in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.