How to Disable or Enable Function Keys in a Laptop or PC?

Many a times we feel the need to use the function keys (F1, F2...F12) without pressing the Fn key and visa versa. The below step by step instructions will tell you how to Disable or Enable Function Keys in BIOS of a Laptop or PC.

To disable, or enable, the function key (fn) in the BIOS, do the following steps.

1. Press the power button to turn on the computer.
2. Press the f10 key to open the BIOS setup window.
3. Press the right-arrow or left-arrow keys to navigate to the System Configurationoption.
   Figure 2: BIOS setup window

   
4. Press the up-arrow or down-arrow keys to navigate to the Action Keys Mode option, and then press the enter key to display the Enable / Disable menu.
5. Select the desired mode:

   Disabled : Requires pressing and holding the function key (fn) while pressing one of the f1 through f12 keys to use the action indicated on the action key.
   For example, on some computer models, if the Action Keys Mode is Disabled , pressing thef11 key will minimize and maximize a web browser if open. Alternatively, pressing and holding the fn + f11 keys will mute the sound.
   The action keys may vary depending on the model of notebook.
   Enabled : Requires pressing only one of the f1 through f12 keys to use the action as indicated on the action key.
   For example, on some computer models, if the Action Keys Mode is Enabled , pressing f11will mute the sound as indicated on the action key. Alternatively, pressing and holding fn + f11 will minimize and maximize a web browser if open.
   The action keys may vary depending on the model of notebook.
6. Press the f10 key to save the selection and restart the computer.

You can reset the function key (fn) option at any point of time.