How do I reallocate a key function?

May 1, 2010 10:36 AM

Mac question: How to I get the F10 button to work as an F10 button and not turn the sound levels on and off? I'm running Windows on a Mac and using a program that will only let me use the F10 button for a specific function, but it's already allocated to sound control.

This is probably a really obvious question, so I apologise for that. I'm tired and working to deadline and even with 30 minutes of fiddling around I can't figure it out myself.

I want F10 to do what my Windows software says it should do, but when I click on it it just does the Mac thing of muting or unmuting the sound. How can I change this?

posted by ask me please to Computers & Internet (5 answers total)

Here's the Apple support article on keyboard mapping in Boot Camp. That page links to the answer depending on which keyboard you have.
posted by jardinier at 10:39 AM on May 1, 2010

There's a checkbox in system preferences - keyboard that says "Use all F1, F2, etc. as standard function keys" Check that. That will make the keys work like normal. There may be some sort of passthru option you need to do with whatever Windows emulator you're using but that's a start.
posted by jessamyn at 10:41 AM on May 1, 2010

Yes, if you're not actually booting into windows, but running it in Parallels Desktop or another virtualization software, you will need to look at that software and the specific settings for keyboard commands. For example, having the newest version of Parallels Tools installed in your virtual Windows machine will help pass the correct key commands - which as jessamyn notes are set in the Mac System Preferences.
posted by jardinier at 10:51 AM on May 1, 2010

Best answer: The "fn" button on the lower left side of your keyboard will turn the mute button into an F10 button.
posted by abc123xyzinfinity at 12:15 PM on May 1, 2010

Response by poster: These are all 'best answers'. Thanks a bunch, I am really grateful!
posted by ask me please at 12:29 PM on May 1, 2010