Expert: Amy - 3/6/2009

Question
I run Vista on my PC and am using CS2.  I noticed that to use the key commands in Illustrator to group and ungroup, they won't work.  I have to go the long way and use the menu commands...time-consuming.  Most other key commands I use work, but not group (ctrl G) and ungroup (shft ctrl G).  I hope you can shed some light and help save me some time! :)

Answer
Hi Nikki,

Did you try re-creating the preferences (I pasted directions below).

Otherwise, you can also try re-creating the shortcut. Choose Edit > Keyboard shortcuts. Use the dropdown menu to choose 'Menu Commands' then locate the "Group" command under "Object." Change the shortcut and save.

If this doesn't work, something on your machine is "hogging" the Ctrl+G command. Can you think of anything you recently installed that might use this combination?

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Warning: When you re-create the preferences files, you will lose any unsaved actions that you created. To save actions that you created, choose Save Actions from the Actions palette menu in Illustrator before you follow the instructions below. To load your custom actions in Illustrator after you have re-created the preferences folder, choose Load Actions from the Actions palette menu.

Note: The Windows instructions in this solution require you to locate hidden files and hidden folders. By default, Windows Explorer doesn't show hidden files or hidden folders. To make these items visible, see "Show hidden files and folders (Windows XP, Vista)" (TechNote kb402324).

To re-create the Illustrator CS2 preferences files:

  1. Quit Illustrator CS2.

Windows:Rename the Adobe Illustrator CS2 Settings folder (for example, to Old Adobe Illustrator CS2 Settings) in the C:\Documents and Settings[your user name]\Application Data\Adobe folder.

Windows Vista: Rename the the Adobe Illustrator CS2 Settings folder (for example, to Old Adobe Illustrator CS2 Settings) in the C:\Users\[your user name]\AppData\Roaming\Adobe folder.
 
3. Open Illustrator CS2. Illustrator will create new preferences files.