Changing the way the FN key works

By Sean Terry, 1 April, 2015

Forum
macOS and Mac Apps

Hi,I have been, for quite a while, trying to figure out how to change the way the FN key works with OSX 10.10.2. But, no go so far. so, I have resorted to coming here for some hopeful help. Right now, If I wanna check the time in my windows VM, I have to press the FN key and the nvda key plus the F12 key. On the other side of things, if I wanna change the volume, I can just press the F11 or F12 keys by themselves. I would like to reverse this. I don't mind having to press the FN key and the volume keys. but, I would love to just press alt plus F4 to get out of something without the FN key. Could anyone please help with this/ I've been everywhere in the keyboard settings of the Mac side of things, At least, I thought so. But, no go. Thanks so much for all your help in advance.

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Comments

By Victor Tsaran on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - 04:01

If this is just about changing the functionality of the FN key in Mac OS X, then the setting is under System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys checkbox.

By Victor Tsaran on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - 04:02

Slightly tangential question. Are you using VMWare to run your Windows virtual machine? What key did you map to act as an NVDA key? Any software you used for this? Thanks.

By Sean Terry on Wednesday, April 1, 2015 - 14:59

Hi. as far as windows and NVDA. I used Shart Keys. and mapped the insert key to my right alt key as I don't seem to ever use it. As far as the mac and system preferences. I can't seem to find that check box anywhere under keyboard.

By dvdmth on Friday, April 3, 2015 - 22:31

I just looked on my Mac mini running 10.10.2, and the check box is definitely there. After selecting the Keyboard pane in System Preferences, make sure the first tab, Keyboard, is selected in the list of four tabs at the top of the window. The option to use the F keys as standard function keys should appear below the area where the key repeat rate is configured.