How can I use the function keys without pressing "fn" first.?

Question

I change my volume all the time, and my keyboard is set up so that I have to press the blue "Fn" key and the volume up key on the functions F4 before anything happens. Is it possible to change setting someone in windows 7 so that I can just press the Function F4 key (blue volume up key) to just change the volume? I have a sony vaio E series if that helps thanks!

Answer 1

Yes you can change it. Go into the BIOS settings menu by pressing the appropriate key (usually one of F2, F8 or F12. Depends on your manufacturer) when the manufacturer's logo shows up. You have to be very quick because once that screens goes, the computer will boot up normally. So you can press the key repeatedly and quickly to enter the BIOS settings menu. There, you will see and option to change the behaviour of the function keys to "Multimedia first". That is what it says on my Dell, sorry I have no idea about your Vaio. So yeah just look for the option to change the behaviour of the function keys and set it to perform the multimedia function first.



EDIT- As the answerer below me says, maybe it is a function exclusive to Dell. BIOS is different for every manufacturer so yes, take a look in your BIOS and is it is not there, there may be a program for it. Sorry I have no experience with Sony's laptops. And remember to exercise caution while installing any third party software.

Answer 2

Hardware is controlled via software, yes is the simple answer! A pity its not simple to do you could write a little vb program yourself, the function keys are meant to be programmable. Google it someone has probably already written a little open source program.

I personally havent seen that sorta option in the bios, mind u firms like dell use there own custom firmware, might worth having a look though.

Answer 3

A great alternative method If you cant access your BIOS or have a different problem is a program called AutoHotkey which can be downloaded at http://www.autohotkey.com/ . AutoHotkey is a great program that uses very little background processes and it's FREE!





Step 1: Download and install Autohotkey



Step 2: Run AutoHotkey then right-click your desktop and click "New" then click "AutoHotkey Script"



Step 3: Right-click the file you just created on your desktop and click "Edit Script"



Step 4: Start a new line beneath the line that says "SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir% ; Ensures a consistent starting directory." It should look like this http://i.imgur.com/hPzpTkr.png



Step 5: On my PC if I want to turn up the volume I have to press fn+f12 but if I just wanted to press f12 to turn up the volume I would type f12::Volume_Up on the first empty line. It should look like this http://i.imgur.com/gzQczHZ.png



Step 6: To do this for the volume down key and mute key you need to start a new line for each new key shortcut. It should look like this http://i.imgur.com/hizJxKU.png



Step 7: To run the script you just created you simply double-click it. You can put this script anywhere, I placed mine in a scripts folder I created in my documents.



Step 8: To make the script you just created run when you log in you will need to place it in your Startup folder. To do this on Windows 8 open run and type "%AppData%" (without the quotes) and click "ok". It should look like this http://i.imgur.com/hJbTUTv.png Then click the "Microsoft" folder, then click the "Windows" folder, then click the "start Menu" folder, then click the "Programs", then click the "Startup" folder. Once your in the "Startup" folder it should look like this http://i.imgur.com/XCscihU.png



Step 9: Make sure you saved your script in a folder where you want it (I would recommend not leaving it on your desktop before creating a shortcut). Now right-click the script and select "Create Shortcut". Then place the shortcut it creates into your "Startup" folder. Once your done with that it should look like this http://i.imgur.com/XCscihU.png



You can use this same method to make other unused keys do things liek play/pause media, play next track, ect... Here's a list of other commands http://www.autohotkey.com/docs/KeyList.htm

Use this formula for play/pause, next track, ect.. (key you want to trigger action)::(Action) = f12::Volume_Up

Answer 4

Hi,

To get Auto Hotkey for free you can click here on the link http://bitly.com/1k49Wpu

You should check it out

Bye Bye

Answer 5

you can't. the function key is part of the hardware of the laptop and is not controlled by the OS(windows) sorry