Author: James Fleming
Wednesday, January 4, 2023

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys



Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

Introduction

Two ways to set your keyboard are choosing F1-F12 keys or Special Keys.

Special Keys

When you press a function key, it will perform a specific action based on what you have programmed it for. For example, "F5" is usually used to refresh a webpage in most browsers, and "F7" is used to toggle between windows in Microsoft Word. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

F1-F12 Keys

This setting allows you to use F1-F12 keys for their intended functions in the operating system instead of using each key as a particular function. For example, when you press "F3" on a Windows computer, Help is opened in the Program Manager. That same thing happens when you press "F3" while your keyboard is set to this setting. Another example would be demanding "F9" to refresh a webpage in most browsers.

Chose F1-F12 Keys or Special Keys

Not all computers have a set of function keys. If your computer has no function keys, you must choose between using a key or pressing F1-F12. If you want to use a more traditional method, select F1-F12 Keys. This allows the computer to determine which keystroke is sent to start various functions and applications.

If you want to use specific keys as programmable function keys, then you must set your keyboard to Special Keys. Follow the steps below on how to set your keyboard.

Setting Your Keyboard for F1-F12 Keys

Two ways to set your keyboard are choosing F1-F12 keys or Special Keys. Follow the steps below to change your setting.

Press "Start," Select "Settings," Select "Control Panel," Select "Keyboard" (Keyboard Properties). Click on the tab that says "Key Settings" Select "Keys" Choose the key or key combination that you want to be an F# function key. Then, select "Use this key as a standard Function Key."

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

Ways to set Your Keyboard for Special Keys

Windows key + F12

This is useful when you want the computer to use your F12 key as the enter key. By default, pressing the Windows Key + F12 will bring up a split screen with more programs to run besides just using the start menu. By going into "Key Settings" > "Special keys" and selecting this option, all you'll have to do is press Windows Key + F12, and nothing else will be done. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) . (All programs) . (All windows) .

In Windows, pressing the "Windows" key + F12 will show you all the programs running. In most cases, you don't need to use the ".." key in front of this combination. Instead, you press the "Windows" key + F12 and whatever is open on the screen is what you see. So, for example, if you have a browser window or multiple windows open, pressing Windows Key + F12 will show all those windows running. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Control panel.

Pressing the "Windows" key + F12 will bring up the Control Panel. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

(Windows) Print Screen.

This way of setting your keyboard allows you to take a print screen by pressing the "Windows" key + F12. This can save you time when taking a whole page and not just a screenshot of a tiny area of your computer. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) F2.

Press the "Windows" key + F11 to bring up another screen containing a link for sending the current window to a specific application. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Switch applications.

When you press the "Windows" key + F11 (while another window is open), it will focus on that window and set itself as the active program. This way of putting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

(Windows) Show all programs.

This button will bring up a window with all the open programs displayed so you can switch between them. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Start menu.

To bring up the start menu or start screen in Windows 8/10, press "Windows" + "D." This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen button.

(Windows) Lock.

Press "Windows" + "L" to lock your computer. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

(Windows) Search.

Press "Windows" + "F1" to search for files on the computer using Windows Search, or press "Windows Key + F1" if you changed it in the settings above. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Print.

Pressing the "Windows" key + F12 will show a window that allows you to print on your computer. This is useful if your computer has no printer installed and you have a printer connected at home. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Taskbar options.

Windows Key + F12 will show you all the programs and open windows on your computer. Use your arrow keys to navigate around, and press the enter key when you find one you want to focus on. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Volume control.

Press "Windows" + "Up Arrow" to increase volume and "Windows" + "Down Arrow" to decrease the volume in Windows 8 or 10. You can change this functionality by going into the settings menu above, which says, "Change how pressing a Function Key behaves." This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

(Windows) Wireless.

To access your Wi-Fi network in Windows 8/10, press "Windows" + "I" to open the Wi-Fi settings menu. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Shut down.

Press "Windows" + "U" to shut down your computer. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Windows) Task view.

Pressing the "Windows" key + Tab will create the Task View for Windows 8/10 users. This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Mac) Launchpad.

To open Launchpad in OS X, press "F5". This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Mac) Mission Control.

To open Mission Control in OS X, press "F3". This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

(Mac) Dashboard.

To open Dashboard in OS X, press "F4". This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

Deciding whether to use the function keys (F1-F12) as standard keys or special keys

(Mac) Search.

To search your computer for files on a Mac, press "F3". This way of setting your keyboard will also allow you to use specific keys like the arrow keys and function keys together with other special functions such as copy, paste, or print screen buttons.

Conclusion

We have taken the time to show you the default keyboard shortcuts for Windows, Mac, and Android for these functions. So even though some of these might be different on your platform, you can create your shortcuts for any actions or programs that do not have one available to them on any platform.

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