Windows – Disabling Function Keys in Windows 8 with Autohotkey

autohotkeykeyboard shortcutswindows 8

I would need to use Autohotkey to disable Function keys ( F1 –F12 ) on my Lenovo ideapad u310, running a Windows 8. I need this in order to use the F1–F12 in applications such as Ableton Live. Additionally, if it's possible to program the Windows 8's stock features behind an Fn key (see nb below) that would be even better.

The autohotkey program itself is working just fine, I've tried bunch of things successfully. But for some reason, I can't disable the Function keys or re-map them. Function Keys in Windows 8 are by default programmed to do things like opening up Charm, controlling volume etc.

In Windows 8, the F10 key, for example, opens the second screen option. This means I can't use it for other purposes, because every time I press it the second screen option opens up. The audio software I use would badly require freeing those F1–F12 keys from Windows 8 features, such as the second screen example. Simply: I'd like the Function Keys do nothing at all by default, thus being "available" for certain software to utilize.

I tried the basic "F1::Return" but nothing. Any ideas? Any help would mean a lot 🙂

So is it even possible to override these Windows 8 interface features with autohotkey?

nb: There's a feature in Mac OS that I'm actually trying to somewhat emulate here. On a mac computer, you can choose to have the function keys' features behind the Fn button, so you have to always press Fn+function. This way the user can execute OS features BUT still use the function keys without the Fn button in any software (like pressing F5 for refresh on an internet browser etc.).

Best Answer

I think that your problem is the "reverse" `Fn` key.

I think your problem can be described as:
"When I press F5 with my browser open, "Windows" does "something" and when I press Fn+F5, my browser reloads the page as I would expect".

This has nothing to do with Windows 8. Unfortunately there are many laptop suppliers (e.g. HP and Compaq) who do/did the same. I always had to go back to the BIOS to reverse (normalize) the Fn key function, so that F1 ... F12 worked without first pressing Fn and that the "special" functions like volume, WiFi, Screen Switching, etc. all require the use of the Fn key first.

From the Lenovo Manual. Change settings in your BIOS!

Setting hotkey mode

By default, the hotkey functions are accessible by pressing the appropriate hotkey. However, you can disable the hotkey mode in the BIOS setup utility.

To disable the hotkey mode:

1 Restart the computer.
When the Lenovo logo appears, immediately press Fn+F2 to enter the BIOS setup utility.

2 In the BIOS setup utility, open the Configuration menu, and change the setting of HotKey Switch from Hotkey Mode to Legacy Mode.

3 Open the Exit menu, and select Exit Saving Changes.

Note: When hotkey mode is disabled, press the Fn key and the appropriate hotkey to access the corresponding hotkey function.

Not in the manual:

From now on you enter the BIOS most likely with just F2.

Quote from the creator of the script: [ link ]

I have an MID (Mobile Internet Device) called Viliv S5. It has resolution of 1024 x 768 for 4.8 inch screen. That means icons are to small to click with fingers. So I developed a script to convert touchscreen (absolute coordinate) to touchpad (relative coordinate).

This script hooks mouse down, hiding real cursors and showing fake cursors. When the finger is released, the mouse pointer is moved to the intended position and reveal the cursor.

Usage:

Decompress the zip file in the relevant folder.
Open Touchpad.ini and set cursor "speed" (0 ~ 1).
Drag the screen and the cursor moves.
Tap anywhere on the screen and click is sent.
Double tapping is double click.
"Ctrl + u" pause/restart the script.
Click the tray icon and exit the script.

To do:

Implement dragging.
Sometimes cursors jump to my finger position.
Sometimes cursors are hidden.

Download the zip file here: http://cafe.naver.com/flowpad/34 (I updated the above link.)

SCRIPT:

; AutoHotkey Version: 1.x
; Language:       English
; Platform:       Win9x/NT
; Author:         Seung-Young Noh <noh@socoop.net>


#SingleInstance force
#NoEnv  ; Recommended for performance and compatibility with future AutoHotkey releases.
SendMode Input  ; Recommended for new scripts due to its superior speed and reliability.
SetWorkingDir %A_ScriptDir%  ; Ensures a consistent starting directory.

Menu, Tray, NoStandard
Menu, Tray, Tip, Touchpad V0.7
Menu, Tray, Icon, 1.ico, , 1
Menu, Tray, add, Exit, MenuQuit
Menu, Tray, Default, Exit
Menu, Tray, Click, 1

#Persistent
CoordMode, Mouse, Screen

IniRead, Cursor_speed, Touchpad.ini, main, Cursor_speed
if not Cursor_speed
    Cursor_speed := 0.7

SystemCursor("I")
SetTimer, WatchCursor, 50
return

MenuQuit:
    ExitApp
return

LWin & u::
    Suspend
    SetTimer, WatchCursor, Off
    SetTimer, MovePointer, Off
    SystemCursor(1)

    if (A_IsSuspended = 1) {
        Menu, Tray, Icon, 2.ico
    } else {
        Menu, Tray, Icon, 1.ico
    }
return  

WatchCursor:
    MouseGetPos, x, y
    GetKeyState, state, LButton
    FromX := FromX1
    FromY := FromY1
    FromX1 := x
    FromY1 := y
return

StartWatchCursor:
    SetTimer, WatchCursor, On
return

LButton::
    SystemCursor(0)
    SetTimer, WatchCursor, Off

    ToX := FromX
    ToY := FromY

    SplashImage, C:\Windows\Cursors\arrow_r.cur, x%ToX% y%ToY% B

    MouseGetPos, thisX, thisY
    SetTimer, MovePointer, 100
return

LButton Up::
    SetTimer, MovePointer, Off

    MouseMove, %ToX%, %ToY%, 0
    SplashImage, Off
    if ((A_TimeSincePriorHotkey < 100) and (abs((ToX - FromY) * (ToY - FromY)) < 200)) {
        Click
    }
    FromX := ToX
    FromY := ToY

    SystemCursor(1)

    SetTimer, StartWatchCursor, -1000
return

MovePointer:
    MouseGetPos, x, y
    ToX := ToX + Round(Cursor_speed * (x - thisX))
    ToY := ToY + Round(Cursor_speed * (y - thisY))
    if (ToX <= 0) {
        ToX = 0
    } else if (ToX >= A_ScreenWidth) {
        ToX := A_ScreenWidth
    }
    if (ToY <= 0) {
        ToY = 0
    } else if (ToY >= A_ScreenHeight) {
        ToY := A_ScreenHeight
    }
    
    if (((x - thisX) != 0) or ((y - thisY) !=0)) {
        SplashImage, C:\Windows\Cursors\arrow_r.cur, x%ToX% y%ToY% B
    }
    thisX := x
    thisY := y
return

;; The script below is another's. I can't remember whose it is.

SystemCursor(OnOff=1)   ; INIT = "I","Init"; OFF = 0,"Off"; TOGGLE = -1,"T","Toggle"; ON = others
{
    static AndMask, XorMask, $, h_cursor
        ,c0,c1,c2,c3,c4,c5,c6,c7,c8,c9,c10,c11,c12,c13 ; system cursors
        , b1,b2,b3,b4,b5,b6,b7,b8,b9,b10,b11,b12,b13   ; blank cursors
        , h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6,h7,h8,h9,h10,h11,h12,h13   ; handles of default cursors
    if (OnOff = "Init" or OnOff = "I" or $ = "")       ; init when requested or at first call
    {
        $ = h                                          ; active default cursors
        VarSetCapacity( h_cursor,4444, 1 )
        VarSetCapacity( AndMask, 32*4, 0xFF )
        VarSetCapacity( XorMask, 32*4, 0 )
        system_cursors = 32512,32513,32514,32515,32516,32642,32643,32644,32645,32646,32648,32649,32650
        StringSplit c, system_cursors, `,
        Loop %c0%
        {
            h_cursor   := DllCall( "LoadCursor", "uint",0, "uint",c%A_Index% )
            h%A_Index% := DllCall( "CopyImage",  "uint",h_cursor, "uint",2, "int",0, "int",0, "uint",0 )
            b%A_Index% := DllCall("CreateCursor","uint",0, "int",0, "int",0
                , "int",32, "int",32, "uint",&AndMask, "uint",&XorMask )
        }
    }
    if (OnOff = 0 or OnOff = "Off" or $ = "h" and (OnOff < 0 or OnOff = "Toggle" or OnOff = "T"))
        $ = b  ; use blank cursors
    else
        $ = h  ; use the saved cursors

    Loop %c0%
    {
        h_cursor := DllCall( "CopyImage", "uint",%$%%A_Index%, "uint",2, "int",0, "int",0, "uint",0 )
        DllCall( "SetSystemCursor", "uint",h_cursor, "uint",c%A_Index% )
    }
}

Hope this helps... I haven't tested the script.

Remapping Function Keys for media vs. Alt + Function Key for specific app

Use an #If statement to selectively enable a hotkey. You can change the WinTitle if you like as well.

#If Not (WinActive ("ahk_exe excel.exe") Or WinActive ("ahk_exe access.exe"))
F11::Volume_Mute
#IfWinActive ; make sure all hotkeys after this are not qualified with the above #If statement