Uses of Function Keys in Windows | Common uses of F1-F12 Keys

Function keys are keys on a computer or keyboard which can be programmed so as to cause an Operating System to perform certain actions. These keys are commonly known as Function keys on a Computer/Laptop keyboard, F1-F12 may have a variety of different uses. Majority of people don’t know all the features and uses of F1-F12 keys on the keyboard for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft applications.

Below are common features and uses of F1-F12 keys , and also functionality of these keys when used with the Combination of CTRL and ALT and Fn keys.

USES OF F1-F12 KEYS IN WINDOWS

 1.   F1 key

➤  F1 key almost always is used for ''Help'', almost every program opens a help screen when this key is pressed. If you are using windows OS and want help anywhere then press F1 key, this will open up help window for you.

➤  Sometimes F1 key is used to enter the BIOS or CMOS setup (press F1 when your computer is about to boot).

➤  To open the 'Task pane' in Microsoft Office 2002 (XP), Office 2003, and later versions that enables users to have quick access to common features, information, and commands.

➤  Use Windows key + F1 open the Windows Help and Support or Microsoft Help.

 2.   F2 key

➤  In Windows it renames a highlighted Icon, File, or Folder. Works in all versions of Windows.

➤  Ctrl + F2  Opens the Print Preview window in Microsoft Word.

➤  Alt + Ctrl + F2  Opens the Document in Microsoft Word.

➤  Use F2 to quickly rename a selected file or folder.

➤  To enter the BIOS or CMOS setup (press F2 when your computer is about to boot).

➤  Fn + F2 decreases brightness (in some laptops).

 3.   F3 key

➤  Opens a search feature for many programs in Microsoft Windows when at the Windows Desktop.

➤  In the MS-DOS charge line or in Windows command line, press F3 to reuse the last command or summon.

➤  Shift + F3 changes the text or content in Microsoft Word, from upper to lower case or capital letters at the start or beginning of every word.

➤  Windows Key + F3 opens the Advanced search window in Microsoft Outlook.

➤  In Apple computer running Mac OS X, F3 opens Application Control or Mission Control.

➤  Fn + F3 increases brightness (in some Laptops).

 4.   F4 key

➤  Opens the address or location bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.

➤  Open find window in Windows 95 to Windows XP.

➤  Repeat the last action or activity performed in MS Word (Word 2000 and above).

➤  Ctrl + F4  closes the window open in the present window i.e. the current active window in Microsoft Windows.

➤  Alt + F4  closes the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.

➤  Use Alt + F4 on Desktop screen i.e. when there is no active program window. It will open 'Shut down Windows' where you will be given options to 'Shutdown, Hibernate, Sleep, Switch user, Log off or Restart' your computer.

 5.   F5 key

➤  It refreshes the present or current page (works in all advanced programs), and additionally redesign the desktop in Windows.

➤  In all Internet browsers, pressing F5 will refresh or reload the web page or document window.

➤  Ctrl + F5 forces a refresh of the web page with clearing the cache and downloading all contents of the page again.

➤  Opens the find, replace, and go to window (Find and replace) in Microsoft Word.

➤  Refreshes the list of contents in a folder.

➤  Starts or run a slideshow in PowerPoint.

 6.   F6 key

➤  Move the cursor to the address bar or location bar in Internet browsers. (also works in numerous advanced programs)

➤  Ctrl + Shift + F6 opens to another Document in Microsoft Word.

➤  In some Laptops, reduce laptops speaker volume with F6.

 7.   F7 key

➤  Mostly used for spelling and grammar check in a document in Microsoft programs (Word, Outlook, etc.)

➤  Shift + F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the highlighted word.

➤  Turns Caret browsing on or off in Mozilla Firefox.

➤  Increase laptop speaker volume or Mute volume in some laptops (while playing a video/mp3).

 8.   F8 key

➤  F8 is used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode (Pressing F8 key while your PC/Laptop is about to boot will result into booting your Computer in Safe mode).

➤  In some computers it is used to access the Windows recovery system, but it may require a Windows installation CD.

➤  Alt + F8 opens Marcos window, which creates Microsoft Visual Basic for application.

➤  In Mac OS it displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces.

➤  Decrease the volume in Windows Media Player.

 9.   F9 key

➤  Refreshes a document in Microsoft Word.

➤  Reduce laptop brightness in some computers.

➤  Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.

➤  Increase the volume in Windows Media Player.

➤  Fn key + F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on an Apple computer running Mac OS X.

 10.   F10 key

➤  Activates “Menu” in the open organizer window in Microsoft.

➤  Shift + F10  works same as the right mouse click on a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.

➤  Pressing F10 while your system is booting will show you the BIOS Information of your computer and to enter in it.

➤  For accessing the hidden recovery partition (information used to restore your computer back to its factory settings) on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.

➤  In some computers to increase screen brightness.

➤  Maximize or restore window in Microsoft word and other applications.

 11.   F11 key

➤  Enter and exit fullscreen mode and it can be used and work in any Browser.

➤  To access the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers, press F11 on booting. And Ctrl + F11 while computer is booting to access the hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.

➤  In Mac OS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows the Desktop.

➤  Alt + F11 to open the Microsoft visual basic window in Microsft word.

 12.   F12 key

➤  Opens the 'Save As' in Microsoft Word, Paint.

➤  Ctrl + F12 to open a document In Word.

➤  Shift + F12  to save a document in Microsoft Word.

➤  Ctrl + Shift + F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.

➤  Press F12 key to open up Inspect element box in any Browser.

➤  To preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.

➤  To access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, which allows you to select a different device to boot from like hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network.

To do the task that is Printed on the respective Function keys (mainly for Laptop Users), use the 'Fn' key in your Laptop's keyboard, i.e. use it as a combination like Fn + (F1 or F2 or F3…. F12). For example if F1 has a help sign printed on it then Fn + F1 will open Help & support of that program.