Photoshop :: Alt Key / Mouse Wheel For Zoom (windows 7 Function)?

I'm using CS6 on windows 7-64bit with a keyboard and a mouse.  I have a problem with the default functionality of the "Alt" key in windows 7.  For those of you that are familiar with the default functionality of the alt key in windows 7, please skip to the next paragraph.  For those of you not familiar, pressing the alt key in most programs in windows will highlight the toolbar so that you can use the keyboard to make selections within your "File", "Edit", "View", etc. toolbars if your mouse goes dead.
 
My problem is that I use the Alt + Mouse Scroll for zoom all the time.  I rely on that feature probably more than I should.  Yes, I could use cntrl + or cntrl - for zoom but that means I have to take my right hand off my mouse and I use photoshop 8+ hours a day some days.  Time is of the essence to complete projects by the deadline.
 
I've tried disabling the default alt function in windows 7 (didn't work because you can't without third pary openware).  I've tried duplicating the shortcut in the Edit - Keyboard Shortcuts menu (didn't work because it doesn't recognize the mouse scroll).