TIP: The Windows key | on the keyboard allows you to quickly return to the Start screen from |
an open app or the Windows desktop. Pressing the Windows key again will return you to the previous screen.
NOTE: Depending on the country or region, your keyboard may have different keys and keyboard functions than those discussed in this section.
Using the keys
Your computer has different ways to quickly access information or perform functions with certain keys and key combinations.
Using the action keys
An action key performs an assigned function. The icon on each of the f1 through f4 keys, the f5 key (select models only), and the f6 through f12 keys illustrates the assigned function for that key.
To use an action key function, press and hold the key.
The action key feature is enabled at the factory. You can disable this feature in Setup Utility (BIOS). See Using Setup Utility (BIOS) and System Diagnostics on page 77 for instructions on opening Setup Utility (BIOS), and then follow the instructions at the bottom of the screen.
To activate the assigned function after you have disabled the action key feature, you must press the fn key in combination with the appropriate action key.
CAUTION: Use extreme care when making changes in Setup Utility. Errors can prevent the computer from operating properly.
Icon | Key | Description |
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| f1 | Opens Help and Support, which provides tutorials, information about the Windows |
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| operating system and your computer, answers to questions, and updates to your |
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| computer. |
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| Help and Support also provides automated troubleshooting tools and access to |
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| support. |
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| f2 | Decreases the screen brightness incrementally as long as you hold down the key. |
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| f3 | Increases the screen brightness incrementally as long as you hold down the key. |
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| f4 | Switches the screen image between display devices connected to the system. For |
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| example, if a monitor is connected to the computer, pressing this key alternates the |
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| screen image from the computer display to the monitor display to a simultaneous |
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| display on both the computer and the monitor. |
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| Most external monitors receive video information from the computer using the external |
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| VGA video standard. This action key can also alternate images among other devices |
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| that are receiving video information from the computer. |
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| f5 | On select models, turns the radiance backlight keyboard feature off or on. |
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| NOTE: To conserve battery power, turn off this feature. |
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| f6 | Mutes or restores speaker sound. |
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40 Chapter 5 Navigating using touch gestures, pointing devices and the keyboard
