Comment 3 for bug 403691

It seems that Microsoft made this very change with the release of Windows 2000. Here is the justification given by a Microsoft user interface designer (http://blogs.msdn.com/oldnewthing/archive/2006/10/05/792913.aspx):

    To support our goal of greater simplicity, we plan to suppress keyboard navigation indicators by default. Don't be frightened...

    The idea is to reduce visual noise in Windows, namely focus indicators and access key underlines in menus and windows. Aesthetically, these things are distracting and intimidating. Functionally, they're only useful when you're navigating by keyboard. They don't add significant value when you're just using the mouse. In fact, they're often redundant.

    Why now? Every good thing must start somewhere. Windows will look cleaner and simpler.

    What's so bad about the way things are? Access key underlines are largely underutilized and are often redundant with Ctrl+ shortcuts within the same menu. There's no indication that you have to type the Alt key to use these shortcuts. Plus, it's just odd to see characters underlined within text all over your display. Focus rectangles lack graphic integrity, and they're often redundant with the highlight on selected items or the default button.

    Of course, the keyboard indicators will come back when there is any demonstration of keyboard navigation by the user. The indicators will appear and disappear appropriately. Finally, if you don't like the behavior at all, you can disable it from the Display control panel.

    For what it's worth, this is one of the things I [the interface designer] came to Microsoft to fix.