Usage of Functions Keys (F-Keys)

We know our key boards have 12 function keys but have ever wondered what are their uses? Function keys are the keys present on the top line of the keyboard from F1 to F12. This is the line of keys which differentiates Keyboard from Typewriter as Typewriters do not have them.

Function Keys were used in olden times when computers operated via MS DOS but these days there is no big use of these function keys. Role of all F1 to F12 keys are different for different operating systems. But if you’re using Microsoft’s Operating System then these function keys can serve you with shortcuts. These days function keys act as shortcuts with addition of CTRL, ALT or Shift for various special features of Operating system.

Laptops have different functions of these function keys. You can increase – decrease screen brightness, increase- decrease volume and can do lot of settings from these function keys. Now we are going to list function of every function key from F1 to F12 below:

Waht is Functions keys (f keys)

The function keys or f keys are lined along the top of the keyboard and labeled F1 through F12.
These keys act as shortcuts, performing certain functions, like saving files or printing data. For example, the F1 key is often used as the default help key in many programs. The function of these keys can differ by operating system and by software program.

Here are the purpose of all functions keys from f1-f12 and New changed Keys in Apple Mac OS 10.4 or later

F1 Key

1. Almost always used as the help key, almost every program opens a help screen when this key is pressed.
2. Enter CMOS Setup.
3. Windows Key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center. Open theTask Pane.

Open the Task Pane.

F2 Key

1. In Windows renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
2. Alt + Ctrl + F2 opens document window in Microsoft Word.
3. Ctrl + F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
4. Quickly rename a selected file or folder.
5. Enter CMOS Setup.

F3 Key

1. Often opens a search feature for many programs including Microsoft Windows when at the Windows Desktop.
2. In MS-DOS or Windows command line F3 will repeat the last command.
3. Shift + F3 will change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lower case or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
4. Windows Key+ F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
5. Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running Mac OS X.

F4 Key

1. Open find window in Windows 95 to XP.
2. Open the address barin Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
3. Ctrl + F4 closes the open window within the current active window in Microsoft Windows.
4. Alt + F4 closes the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.
5. Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+).

F5 Key

1. In all modern Internet browsers, pressing F5 will refreshor reload the page or document window.
2. Refresh the list of contents in a folder.
3. Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
4. Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.

F6 Key

1. Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
2.Ctrl + Shift + F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
3. Reduce laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F7 Key

1. Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
2. Shift + F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
3. Turns on Caret browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
4. Increase laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F8 Key

1. Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode.
2. Used by some computers to accessthe Windows recovery system, but may require a Windows installation CD.
3. Displays a thumbnailimage for all workspaces in Mac OS.

F9 Key

1. Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
2. Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.
3. Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
4. Reduce laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
5. With Mac OS 10.3 or later, displays a thumbnail for each window in a single workspace.
6. Using theFn keyand F9 at the same time opensMission Controlon an Apple computer running Mac OS X.

F10 Key

1. In Microsoft Windows activates the menu bar of an open application.
2. Shift + F10 is the same asright-clickingon a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
3. Access thehidden recovery partitionon Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
4. Enter CMOS Setup on some computers.
5. Increase laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
6. With Mac OS 10.3 or later, shows all open Windows for the active program

F11 Key

1. Enter and exitfullscreenmode in all modernInternet browsers.
2. Ctrl + F11 as computer is starting to access the hidden recovery partitionon many Dell computers.
3. Access the hidden recovery partitionon eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
4. With Mac OS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows the Desktop.

F12 Key

1. Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
2. Ctrl + F12 opens a document In Word.
3. Shift + F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl + S).
4. Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
5. Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
6. Open Fire bugor browser debug tool.
7. With an Apple running Mac OS 10.4 or later, F12 shows or hides the Dashboard.
8. Access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, allowing you to select a different device to boot from (hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network).

Some New Function Keys in Apple keyboards and IBM Computers

F13 - F15 Keys

On newer Apple keyboards the F13, F14, and F15 may be shown in place of the Print Screen key, Scroll lock key, and Pause key.

F16 - F19 Keys

On newer Apple keyboards the F16, F17, F18, and F19 keys are above the number pad.

F13 - F24 Keys

In Early IBM computers also had keyboards with F13 through F24 keys. However, because these keyboards are no longer used, they are not listed on this Post.