Besides these F1-F12 12 function keys, there is a special Fn key located next to the Ctrl key on your keyboard. The Fn key is used to activate special Function Keys which are marked by special icons in the same color. For example, key F1 on my laptop’s keyboard has a small icon of Touchpad Off in a color code matching to the Fn Key; which means Fn+F1 will turn my Touchpad Off/On. Function keys work differently on different programs. TIP: Read how to swap or change Function key behavior in Windows laptops.
What do Keyboard F1 to F12 Function Keys do
F1 Key
F1 key is universally linked to Help in almost every program, may it be Chrome or Microsoft Word.Win Key+F1 opens the Microsoft Windows help and support center.Shift + F1 reveals formatting in MS Word.Ctrl+F1 opens Task Pane in MS Office.
F2 Key
Hotkey to rename any of the highlighted icons, file,s or folders. Select a file/folder/icon and click F2 to rename it.Ctrl+F2 opens the print preview in MS Word.Fn+F2 mutes the volume of your PC.Alt+Ctrl+F2 opens document library in MS Office.When clicked during Boot Process, the F2 key takes you to the BIOS setup of your PC.
F3 Key
F3 often activates search functions in different applications including the leading browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.Fn+F3 to decrease the volume in some laptops.Click Shift + F3 to change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lower caseShift +F3 opens the search in Google Chrome.
F4 Key
F4 is often used to close the applications. Alt+F4 closes the currently open program.Alt+F4 opens the shutdown option when no program is open.Ctrl+F4 closes a part of the running program such as a tab or a document.Click Fn+F4 to increase the volume in some laptops.F4 takes you to the address bar in Windows Explorer and Microsoft Edge.F4 opens a fullscreen window in some applications like Space Cadet and 3D Pinball.
F5 Key
F5 Key is often used to refresh a web page.Click F5 to open Find & Replace window in MS Word.Starts a slideshow when clicked in PowerPoint.Fn+F5 decreases brightness on your monitor on some laptops.
Read: How to type Does not equal sign on keyboard.
F6 Key
This key takes you to the address bar in some browsers like Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge and many other popular browsers.Fn+F6 increases the brightness of your monitor on some laptops.
F7 Key
F7 opens spelling and grammar checker in MS Word.Shift+F7 opens thesaurus in MS Word.Fn+F7 opens second screen options in some laptops and opens display schemes in some laptops.
F8 Key
Commonly used to start your Windows PC in Safe Mode.Takes you to the Windows Recovery system at times.
F9 Key
If you are using MS Word, the F9 key will update your document.Click F9 to send or receive an email in Microsoft Outlook
F10 Key
F10 Key opens Menu Bar in the open application.Shift+F10 works as right-click option.
F11 Key
Enters and exits Full-Screen Mode in almost every popular browser including Chrome, Firefox and Microsoft Edge.CTRL+F11 opens the hidden recovery options in some Windows laptops.Alt+F11 opens the Visual Basic Editor.
F12 Key
If you are working on MS Word, click F12 to open Save As window.Win+F12 saves your document in MS Word.CTRL+F12 opens a document in MS Word.Opens Inspect Element in popular web browsers.
Some of these features are available only on some selected laptops. Usually, these options features of Function Keys have default actions or icons printed on them. PS: Ever wondered why there are bumps on the F and J on a computer keyboard? See this post if Function keys are not working.
