Function keys not working in Mac Keyboard on windows

17
2013-08
  • ajy

    I am using a mac keyboard on Windows. The function keys F7 - F12 are not working. In an attempt to fix this problem I installed BootCamp drivers from Apple. Now these keys are working as Media keys (Back, Play.pause, Nest, Mute, Volume Down and Volume UP). Since I work on Visual Studio most of the time, I need the function keys for debugging. Is there some way to get the original Functions for those keys.

    • Answers
  • Pulkit Sinha

    Go to Control Panel -> BootCamp. You should find an option called "Use the F1-F12 keys to control software features" under keyboard tab.


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    keyboard - Function keys on Dell laptop work double as OEM keys
  • Factor Mystic

    I'm working with a new Dell Studio 1555, and the F1-F12 keys at the top of the keyboard are dual function with OEM keys such as volume and screen brightness. The problem is, is that the OEM keys are the default, and you have to press the Fn key to get the F- key to work.

    For example, this means you have to hit Alt+Fn+F4 to close a window, instead of the regular Alt+F4. This is really annoying. Is there a way to reverse the default functions of the F- keys in Windows?

    Ideally this is possible without some kind of third party hotkey manager.


    • Related Answers
  • David Pearce

    From Whirlpool's KB article on the Dell Studio 1555:

    The media buttons are switched on by default instead of the F keys so to perform a task such as closing a window (Alt-F4), you are required to press Alt-Fn-F4. To reverse this function, it is necessary to go into the BIOS.

  • Subash

    Just for reference, I have been using a Studio 1555 with Vista 64bit for the last 6 months.

    This setting does not appear in the Windows Mobility Center on my system, so I needed to change the setting in BIOS by pressing F2 at boot (no need to press fn F2, even when the keys behave as media keys in Windows). Occasionally, this setting appears to revet and I need to set the option again in the BIOS.

    As noted above, perhaps there is some key combination to change the behaviour. I cannot explain why the keys reverted back to their media function by default.

  • Troggy

    Yes, this is possible, but I cannot remember if it is a BIOS setting or software setting. It might just be a combo you push on your keyboard to turn function on or off by default. This can vary from laptop to laptop. On Apple macbook pro's the function is on by default. A dell laptop i had once was off by default and you could change it through a combo on the keyboard.

  • JP Alioto

    I believe it's ...

    shift + numlock

    My laptop is at home, so I can't test it.

    Per comment: Check out this thread. It indicates there is a BIOS setting.

  • contact us

    You set the media keys in the bios from media to function. It will toggle the Fn keys to the top and media where you hold the Fn key.