hp wireless button changes airplane mode

Already did BIOS upgrade to F22.  I will try removing HP Power Manager and let you all know.

I have a solution that does not require you to unplug your battery and is a little faster. This may seem like a long process but it's actually very quick once you get used to it.. it's basically just clicking through the right options.

Open control panel and go to Network and Sharing Center.

Go to Change your network settings and choose Troubleshoot Problems.

On the page that opens, choosing the first option, Internet Connections. Click Nect on the window that opens.

It will give you a window with two more options, choose Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet.

It will now look for and detect the problem that you need to "Turn on Wireless capability" Choose the option, Apply this fix. This will reconnect your connection so you can use wireless again.

 I came across this message base because I to am looking for a better solution to the problem. I realized, my solution was faster than everyone who posted above me and wanted to share it. We really do need a way to turn off this airplane mode function for good
 and restore our function keys to normal PC functioning.

I followed your steps but mine comes up with "Troubleshooting couldn't identify the problem."  I did not get the "Turn on Wireless capability" prompt.

Thanks for trying.  I agree HP needs to restore normal function to a huge group of product owners.  I am not happy with $1,000 invested in a laptop that does not perform normally.  I can spend a lot less to get a POS laptop.  LOL

My wife reminded me sometimes it wont work if other network connections like Local Area Connections are active.. she says to disable all connections before you hit the troubleshooter.

OR

Try this.. I just found out its the best quick fix.. quicker than my post above.

Go to the Network Connections icon in the task bar ( it's the icon with all the little bars)  and use the slider on Airplane mode to turn wireless back on. It's that simple.

I still have a need to disable that button because I accidentally hit it now and then and it's annoying. Plus many games and apps that want to map to the F12 key can't do it because of this airplane mode function.  That's part of Windows 8 mobile features But many desktop users don't need or want a lot of the mobile features in a desktop OS.

The first poster said, " I just upgraded my 64 bit HP Pavilion g7 2010 nr to windows 8. now, whenever i try to use the wireless button (Fn + F12) it changes the airplane mode instead of wifi."

But this is really not the case. Airplane mode IS wifi.. and every other wifi connected device in your system.. it turns them all off quickly so you can be protected at airports and on the airplanes.. hence the name Airplane Mode. It makes sure Wifi and all other devices that are able to connect to any network absolutely cannot run. At least thats my understanding of this silly feature. Well, perhaps not silly if you need it but most desktop users don't.

I have a HP Pavilion G7 laptop I use as a desktop machine. I don't know if this is a Microsoft blunder or HP or a combo of both but I wish they would give you the option to disable the functionality of F12 as it is now.

From Control Panel, Windows Mobility Center does have a way to change the functionality of the F12 button but like me, this feature does not show up in Windows Mobility Center for some unknown reason. Look here: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Using-Windows-Mobility-Center

If I open Windows Mobility Center, wireless does not appear.  I am convinced this is like you say, HP or Microsoft or combined blunder.  My F12 does not work other than Airplane mode switch.  There is no slider in Network Connections, etc.

Could be BIOS, could be driver for F12.  In any case, I am weary after no HP solutions since October.  Trust me, NEVER will I buy HP products again.  Nothing.  Sick of it.