diff --git a/src/System.Windows.Forms/System/Windows/Forms/Controls/ToolStrips/ToolStrip.cs b/src/System.Windows.Forms/System/Windows/Forms/Controls/ToolStrips/ToolStrip.cs
index 893d5ad4c31..003b2b7326f 100644
--- a/src/System.Windows.Forms/System/Windows/Forms/Controls/ToolStrips/ToolStrip.cs
+++ b/src/System.Windows.Forms/System/Windows/Forms/Controls/ToolStrips/ToolStrip.cs
@@ -4586,7 +4586,12 @@ protected override void WndProc(ref Message m)
             SnapFocus((HWND)(nint)m.WParamInternal);
 
             // For fix https://github.com/dotnet/winforms/issues/12916
-            ToolStripManager.ModalMenuFilter.SetActiveToolStrip(this);
+            // Skip this in design mode to avoid modal menu mode intercepting keyboard input
+            // which would prevent typing in the design surface (e.g., DemoConsole).
+            if (!IsInDesignMode)
+            {
+                ToolStripManager.ModalMenuFilter.SetActiveToolStrip(this);
+            }
         }
 
         if (!AllowClickThrough && m.MsgInternal == PInvokeCore.WM_MOUSEACTIVATE)