In Project/Project properties/Tools select the Execute command and uncheck the "Output to build window" check box. I haven't tried it recently, but that should solve the issue. As far as shortcuts go, I learned a long time ago to use the Alt- key to navigate the menus of applications. That solves most of these kinds of issues. Alt-b, b is build in both slickedit and visual studio, for example. Once its acquired as habit, you can navigate almost any program with speed.