Function keys on Dell laptop requires Fn+F1-F12 (default is multimedia/oem key)

function keyskeyboardlaptop

In most dell laptop (e.g. Studio 1555, Inspiron 1545, Inspiron 3000, Inspiron N5010 etc) the F1F12 keys at the top of the keyboard are dual function with Multimedia/OEM keys such as volume and screen brightness etc. The problem is, is that the Multimedia/OEM keys are the default, and you have to press the Fn key to get the F1F12 key to work.

For example, this means you have to hit Alt+Fn+F4 to close a window, instead of the regular Alt+F4. This is really annoying. Is there a way to reverse the default functions of the F1F12 keys in Windows?

Ideally this is possible without some kind of third party hotkey manager.

Best Answer

From Whirlpool's KB article on the Dell Studio 1555:

The media buttons are switched on by default instead of the F keys so to perform a task such as closing a window (Alt-F4), you are required to press Alt-Fn-F4. To reverse this function, it is necessary to go into the BIOS.