how to disable function keys

dortmund

New Member
Messages
5
Hi everyone,
I just switched from Mac OS to Windows 8, and one of my biggest problems have been the function keys (F1-F12). On a mac, you could have the OS features "hidden" behind Fn, which enabled me to use function keys as shortcuts when using a software or playing. With Windows 8, the OS function keys commands go above a software's shortcut commands. So you can't press F5 for refresh and so forth.

After a lot of googling, it seemed it's impossible to switch Windows 8's features such as second screen (f10) off, or have them behind a Fn+F10 type commands.

I've tried already to achieve this with autohotkey but even with administrative rights etc, Windows 8 won't let me bypass or override the OS function keys features.

Please, could anyone help me? This is actually the main reason in considering to sell my brand new Lenovo laptop (which I like) and switch back to Apple.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo u310 ideapad
As a Mac user I can understand how you feel. With Windows (regardless of what version) not all function keys work on the desktop window itself normally you have to be running a program to get them to work. Now, having said that you can buy special keyboards that use the "FN" key, or in some cases if you buy a new PC the key that comes with it will have the "FN" function built in into the system.

The Eight Forums have a tutorial section that gives you all the key functions that come with Windows 8. Good hunting in the tutorials.

BTW, "Welcome To The Eight Forums." . . .:thumbsup:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 8, (VM win7, XP, Vista)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion p1423w
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 3330 Ivy Bridge
    Motherboard
    Foxconn - 2ADA Ivy Brige
    Memory
    16 GB 1066MHz DDR3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon HD 5450
    Sound Card
    HD Realteck (Onboard)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Mitsubishi LED TV/Montior HD, Dell 23 HD, Hanspree 25" HD
    Screen Resolution
    Mit. 1980-1080, Dell 2048-115, Hanspree 1920-10802
    Hard Drives
    1 SanDisk 240Gig SSD, 2 Samsung 512Gig SSDs
    Case
    Tower
    Cooling
    Original (Fans)
    Keyboard
    Microsoft Keyboard 2000
    Mouse
    Microsoft Optical Mouse 5000
    Internet Speed
    1.3 (350 to 1024 if lucky)
    Browser
    Firefox 19.1
    Antivirus
    MSE-Defender
Hi Lee, thanks for your comment.

not all function keys work on the desktop window itself normally you have to be running a program to get them to work.

I'm not sure if I'm following you here though, since the problem is NOT that the function keys wouldn't work, but that they only work for Windows 8 OS features only.
For example, I use a program called Pro Tools for audio work. F1-F12 keys are in continuous use, for shortcut commands, but since Windows 8 won't let programs utilize these keys, I can't use the shortcuts.

Now, having said that you can buy special keyboards that use the "FN" key, or in some cases if you buy a new PC the key that comes with it will have the "FN" function built in into the system.

I have the fn key in my laptop (a new Lenovo U310 ideapad, bough a week ago), but I haven't find a way to implement it for using it for Windows 8 OS function keys.

The Eight Forums have a tutorial section that gives you all the key functions that come with Windows 8. Good hunting in the tutorials.

Thanks for the tip. I've gone through a bunch of forums about this, and checked Windows 8 help files, but haven't found anything, quite the contrary: usually staff/admins in official windows 8 forums
say that this is an "important feature" in Windows 8 that cannot be disabled/re-mapped.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo u310 ideapad
did you try keytweak?

Now I have. A quote from here.
KeyTweak also cannot affect either the Function keys on laptops

I can testify to this. I tried to disable the function keys as well as re-map them. No luck.

Well, I think I will sell this computer and go back to Mac, since I've spent the last few days either calling help desks or searching tech forums for help with very simple problems.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo u310 ideapad
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