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How to Change Function Keys on Windows 11
6 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
You probably use function keys every single day of your life, but don’t understand their purpose. Function keys on keyboards are tied to a specific feature on a computer, like increasing brightness level on a display or controlling the volume.
Admittedly, Function keys have so much usage that it can be confusing as to what they exactly do.
There may be times when you accidentally press a function key while typing and your computer do something that you didn’t know it could do.
Although function keys are pre-set, you can still change what they do. It’s important to point out what the function keys do is not universal across all Windows PCs and laptops.
Why should I change function keys on my Windows 11 computer and how?
The reason why you would want to change your function keys is to personalize your computer and know exactly what it does.
As stated earlier, function keys may have unknown uses or features, and it’s highly recommended that Windows 11 users know the ins and outs of their device so they can get the most out of it.
Digging into the inner workings of your computer can teach you a lot. Plus, configuring something all your own is a great way to make sure your machine meets your needs.
On some computers, you can remap your keyboard by going into the settings menu, but a lot of the time, this isn’t possible.
To solve this, you can install a third-party app and use that to remap your computer.
As you’re wondering how can you reassign function keys, this guide will show you some easy ways you can do just that.
One of the best third-party remapping apps is PowerToys and it works universally on all keyboards. Some gaming keyboards have their apps, but PowerToys is honestly better and saves space.
How can I change the function keys on Windows 11?
1. Download and install the Microsoft PowerToys app
2. Configure PowerToys
3. Map multiple inputs to a single Function Key
4. Configure keyboard inputs
Are there other keyboards tips that I should know about?
If you have a Windows 10 computer, it’s recommended that you also learnhow to change the function keys on that OStoo. It’s not that difficult as PowerToys and other third-party apps that work on Windows 11 also work on the older OS.
What you may not be aware of is using BIOS and UEFI Settings on Windows 10, which are firmware that can change a computer’s runtime services. However, it does take a bit of technical know-how.
There have also been cases of people reporting theirkeyboard layout changing to a completely different language. This can be caused by a corrupted user profile or the Fast Startup messing with the system. Whatever the case may be, fixing this weird glitch is highly recommended.
And if you get to a point where you don’t feel like typing away but still need to write, then you should look into thetext-to-speech and voice recognition features on Windows 11. That way you can still work with just your voice. Set up is easy as it requires you to go into the Settings menu and turn the feature on.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions on other Windows 11 apps or features. Also, leave comments about guides that you’d like to see.
More about the topics:keyboard software,Windows 11,windows keyboards
Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar has been writing for and about technology going on for 6 years when he first started writing tech articles for his university paper. Since then, his passion for technology blossomed into a prosperous writing career. He first started writing about tech in the entertainment world and would later move on to write about smart life tech and social media. He was recently a Technical Writer for tech company Extron where he wrote user guides for audio and video equipment.
He has since moved on to being a freelance writer looking to have a career in copywriting and hopes to share his love and knowledge of technology with the world. Recently, Cesar has written for the cryptocurrency news site, BTCPro and helping people understand tech.
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Cesar Cadenas
Networking & Security Specialist
Cesar is a tech expert passionate about Windows, Microsoft, and anything surrounding the world of PCs.
