is there a way to change the keyboard fn to be default function keys

Anonymous
2013-02-12T14:11:15+00:00

I use the function keys a lot more that I use the charm keys. Is there a way to switch them?

Surface | Surface Pro | Install and update

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Anonymous
2013-05-25T21:58:17+00:00

Hold the Fn button and press the CapsLock. It works.

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Anonymous
2013-02-13T05:39:50+00:00

Greetings,

*Moderator Update*

You can enable FN Lock by holding FN + CAPS for a few seconds.

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Anonymous
2014-01-03T07:37:53+00:00

you can toogle the functions of the keys by pressing

FN (right of space)

left shift - lock (the key with the "A"  in a square and the lock-symbol)

pressing them together for about 1 second toogles the funktions of the keys from search to F5 and back

Ralf

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Anonymous
2013-06-01T14:41:33+00:00

This has been answered in a couple other threads but apparently the answer doesn't work for everyone.  Still, it's worth trying:

Try key combination CAPLOCK (hold down) + Fn.  You'll hear a click when you first hit the Caplock, but nothing when tapping the Fn key.  That should toggle the top row of keys to now perform the Function as the default, and Fn + (key) will then do the indicated operation.  I just retested mine and for example the search (magnifying glass) will do a browser page reload (F5).

The CAPLOCK+Fn toggle seems to stick around thru a restart as well, but might be reset by removing and reattaching the touch keyboard. 

Hope this helps - if it works for you please mark as an answer for others.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-03-26T23:12:59+00:00

    Hi daov,

    Thank you for bringing this to the attention of the readership.

    In Win 8 BIOS is more accurately referred to by the acronym UEFI.  And it looks very different to the old BIOS screens. 

    A possible work-around might be to use an external keyboard. My HP Envy X2 comes with a keyboard built into the dock that has the Fn key on it.  This works fine (keyboard is poor quality though, Type Cover is far superior, and it has an Fn key).  When I connect an external USB keyboard, I can access the UEFI BIOS by pressing the ESC button and then pressing the power switch to turn the PC on.  It happens very quickly, select BIOS options (Fn-F10), look for the Function Key toggle, set it as you want it, and you're away!

    Incidentally, the Surface has the Fn key on the virtual keyboard (find it through Control Centre - search - keyboard) but the virtual keyboard is too small for anything serious other than entering security-critical info like passwords to overcome keyboard loggers.

    Good luck with your Surface Pro! 

    Peter Perros

    Brisbane, Australia

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