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What Is The Fn Key On The Keyboard And What Does It Do?

What Is The Fn Key On The Keyboard And What Does It Do?

Is The Fn Key On Your Keyboard Confused, And You Can Not Understand Its Exact Function? In This Article, You Will Learn How To Use The Fn Key.

Fn stands for function and allows you to access a wide range of alternative parts for your other keyboard keys. Initially created The Fn key due to a lack of space on previous keyboards. Instead of adding more keys, the manufacturers gave each multiple essential functions.

For example, if you press the Fn key with another key on some laptops, you can adjust the screen brightness or keystrokes of the keyboard. It might say that you should consider the Fn key as a key similar to the shift key.

Depending on your device, Fn can also allow you to:

  • Turn the volume up and down.
  • Mute the internal speaker of your laptop.
  • Increase or decrease the brightness or contrast of the monitor.
  • Enable standby mode.
  • Put your computer in hibernation mode.
  • Eject the CD / DVD.
  • Lock the keyboard.

This key can use differently depending on the operating system, But Macs, Windows, and even Chromebooks all have versions of the Fn key.

Where is the Fn key on the keyboard?

The Fn key is usually located in the lower-left corner of the keyboard next to the Ctrl key on Apple and PC laptops. On the other hand, some Chromebooks may not have this key, or in some, they may be close to the space key.

And on MacBook laptops, you can usually find the Fn key at the bottom row of the keyboard. Then on Apple full-size keyboards, this key is located next to the delete key. Also, on the Apple Magic Wireless Keyboard, the Fn key is in the lower-left corner.

If your computer does not have an Fn key, your keyboard probably does not have any alternative functions. In this case, you may need to buy a better model.

How does the Fn key work?

Using the Fn key varies depending on the operating system you are using. This key is similar to other modifier keys, such as shift, often used in conjunction with the F1-F12 keys (function keys) at the top of the keyboard. Functions are usually specified with different symbols, even on other operating systems. For example, the sun symbol is commonly used to indicate the brightness of a screen.

Note: The Fn key does not always work with peripherals like the main computer. For example, pressing Fn and the brightness key may not adjust the brightness on an external monitor.

Windows

On Windows PCs, access to special F1-F12 functions will be available by holding down the Fn key and pressing one of the function keys. It can include parts such as muting or adjusting screen brightness. So to use the Fn key on a PC, hold down the Fn key and then simultaneously press any function key you want to use.

Some keyboards have an Fn key that turns on when activated. If your keyboard is the same, ensure the Fn key is enabled before pressing the function keys.

Mac

On Mac computers, the F1-F12 keys perform special functions by default. For example, the F11 and F12 keys increase or decrease the computer’s volume without pressing the Fn key first. Pressing the Fn key and then one of the F1-F12 keys will trigger a specific secondary action for each application you are currently using.

Some Fn keys have a color code to match specific functions. These keyboards have two secondary parts with color codes (for example, function keys in blue and red). On the Fn key of these keyboards, you will see fn in two different colors. For instance, if your Fn key is red and blue, pressing Fn and a red key will work differently than pressing Fn and a blue key.

Most computers allow you to customize your function keys to some extent. In MacBook, you can choose whether the F1-F12 keys use their special keys by default.

Some keyboards allow you to use the fn lock to disable the Fn key.

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We hope you find this article interesting and valuable if you have more information about the Fn key.