The function keys usually located at the top or right hand side of
your keyboard serves different functions while some at times seems to be
of no use to us, in fact they are highly useful, you just haven’t found
out its usefulness yet. Function keys work with the Operating system
and are also used to execute some shortcuts when a program is open.
On Windows, ALT + F4 is used to close the currently active program. Some of the function keys can be used in combination with other keys while some can perform alone. There is also a special function key FN which can be used for additional functions.
Below are some usefulness of the function keys:
F1
• It is mainly used as the help key. Combining Windows key + F1 will open Microsoft Windows help and support center.
• Used to enter CMOS setup
• Used to Open Task Panel.
F2
• Used to rename an highlighted icon, file or folder.
• Ctrl + F2 brings up the print review in Microsoft Word
• Also used to enter CMOS Setup
F3
• Opens the search feature for most programs.
• Tapping this function key will repeat the last command in MS-DOS or CMD.
F4
• ALT + F4 closes currently active program.
• Opens the address bar in Internet explorer.
• Repeats the last action preformed in Microsoft word.
F5
• Used to refresh or reload the current webpage on your internet browser.
• Used to start a slideshow in PowerPoint.
• Used to open the find and replace option in Microsoft word.
F6
• Used to move cursor to the address bar in modern internet browsers like IE, Mozilla etc.
• Ctrl + Shift + F6 switches to another open document in Microsoft word.
• Reduce laptop speaker volume in some laptops.
F7
• Increase laptop speaker volume on some laptops.
• Shift + F7 is used to run a check on the highlighted word in Thesaurus.
• Used for spell check in Microsoft office.
F8
• Used to access Windows safe mode.
• Used by some computer to enter Windows Recovery Mode.
F9
• Reduce screen brightness on some laptops.
• Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
• Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook .
F10
• Increase screen brightness on some laptops.
• Enter CMOS Setup.
• used to activate the Menu bar of an open application.
• Access the hidden recovery partition on HP and Sony computers.
F11
• Used to switch between full screen mode on internet browsers.
• Ctrl + F11 is used to access hidden recovery partition on Dell computers.
• Used to hide all open windows and shows only desktop on Mac OS 10.4 and later.
F12
• Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word .
• Ctrl + F12 opens a document In Word.
• Shift + F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (works like Ctrl +
S).
• Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
• 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, Network)
On Windows, ALT + F4 is used to close the currently active program. Some of the function keys can be used in combination with other keys while some can perform alone. There is also a special function key FN which can be used for additional functions.
Below are some usefulness of the function keys:
F1
• It is mainly used as the help key. Combining Windows key + F1 will open Microsoft Windows help and support center.
• Used to enter CMOS setup
• Used to Open Task Panel.
F2
• Used to rename an highlighted icon, file or folder.
• Ctrl + F2 brings up the print review in Microsoft Word
• Also used to enter CMOS Setup
F3
• Opens the search feature for most programs.
• Tapping this function key will repeat the last command in MS-DOS or CMD.
F4
• ALT + F4 closes currently active program.
• Opens the address bar in Internet explorer.
• Repeats the last action preformed in Microsoft word.
F5
• Used to refresh or reload the current webpage on your internet browser.
• Used to start a slideshow in PowerPoint.
• Used to open the find and replace option in Microsoft word.
F6
• Used to move cursor to the address bar in modern internet browsers like IE, Mozilla etc.
• Ctrl + Shift + F6 switches to another open document in Microsoft word.
• Reduce laptop speaker volume in some laptops.
F7
• Increase laptop speaker volume on some laptops.
• Shift + F7 is used to run a check on the highlighted word in Thesaurus.
• Used for spell check in Microsoft office.
F8
• Used to access Windows safe mode.
• Used by some computer to enter Windows Recovery Mode.
F9
• Reduce screen brightness on some laptops.
• Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
• Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook .
F10
• Increase screen brightness on some laptops.
• Enter CMOS Setup.
• used to activate the Menu bar of an open application.
• Access the hidden recovery partition on HP and Sony computers.
F11
• Used to switch between full screen mode on internet browsers.
• Ctrl + F11 is used to access hidden recovery partition on Dell computers.
• Used to hide all open windows and shows only desktop on Mac OS 10.4 and later.
F12
• Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word .
• Ctrl + F12 opens a document In Word.
• Shift + F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (works like Ctrl +
S).
• Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
• 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, Network)
