Windows 10: Unicode hotkeys for the en dash – alt+0150 and em dash — alt+0151 have stopped working

Using alt and the numpad, alt+0150 and alt+0151 would produce the en and em dashes. Now, I get nothing for 0150 and a smiley face for 0151. I checked the character map and the en and em dashes have disappeared as well.

:)

 

Typesetting: en and em dash

**I'm using the Microsoft Ergonomic keyboard, in case that useful information.**

I've had a setting change on my keyboard and I can't for the life of me figure it out. Help!

I used to be able to type an en dash (–) [alt + 0150] by pressing [ctrl + NUM - ]. Today when I logged onto my computer, suddenly this function is gone, and [ctrl + NUM - ] now zooms out.

Similarly, I used to be able to type an em dash (—) [alt + 0151] by pressing [ctrl + shift + NUM - ]. This sequence now does nothing.

I've tried toggling the NUM lock on/off, tried toggling the SCR lock on/off, tried restoring the original settings of the keyboard, tried disconnecting it and connecting it again... nothing will make this ctrl sequence work for me again.

Please help!! I'm doing typesetting on this computer, and I need to be able to access en and em dashes quickly. As you can see, I know the alt codes. They aren't convenient to use repeatedly.

TIA!

 

Em dash

Relevant System Information: Lenovo G50-80, Windows 10 HOME 1703 (15063.674)

Hi, when I type Alt+0151 I usually get a long "Em dash" (—), but as of late I get ♂ (Alt+11 also produces ♂). I can't seem to find my issue posted on Google anywhere, so I am hoping that someone here
can help. Any and all help would be much appreciated, thanks.

p.s I've tried changing locale (En (UK) to EN (US)) but this does nothing.

-- Anton

 

Alt Keys Not Working Properly

What happened between then and "now"? Did you recently update / upgrade Windows?