Microsoft Sculpt mobile keyboard reverse Fn keys

Question

I have just got my new Microsoft sculpt mobile keyboard, and it works fine.

However the Fn keys are reversed by design.

I mean by pressing F6 for example, the Search charm appears on Windows 8, and i can use F6 if i press the Fn key together with it. Is there any way i can change how it works? It would be verry important for me, i lost many hotkey combination this way :\ Its a bluetooth wireless keyboard, i could not finy any bios setting for it (like some laptops, but i'm on desktop PC). i have

Yes, some laptops do have a setting for Fn key reversal (for example [1](http://superuser.com/questions/279809/hp-laptop-f1-12-keys-inverted-with-fn), [2](http://superuser.com/questions/360892/customize-keybord-key-combination), [3](http://superuser.com/questions/561365/disabling-function-keys-in-windows-8-with-autohotkey)), but in your case of course you'll have to check whether the keyboard's driver or software provides this option. If not an AutoHotkey script might be the only solution. — Karan, Jun 01 '13 at 08:17
It has no provided software where i can change settings- If i have to use AutoHotkey, i will simply not use the keyboard itself :\ — kuzditomi, Jun 01 '13 at 08:53

score 8 · Answer 1 · answered Dec 02 '13 at 06:22

The hardwiring of the Windows 8 Keys as the default keys instead of the more often used Function Keys drove me nuts. I have far more use for the F1 to F12 keys than the Windows 8 Keys, particularly in Mac OS X.

This is a hardwired feature of the Microsoft Sculpt Mobile Keyboard.

The only solution which works is to sacrifice the Windows 8 keys by permanently setting the Fn in the down position.

I did this by popping off the Fn Key and taping the switch in the down position. I used double-stick permanent mounting tape for adhesion which was then covered by black gaffers tape.

I love that my Function Keys now work as I want them to.

Sure, I no longer have keyboard support for volume - compared to the Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Keyboard 6000. But I do gain a hardwired Home and End Keys. And I can easily create a macro to control the volume.

Since the Sculpt Keyboard is also half the price of the Keyboard 6000, this hardware modification saves me $20 every time I wear out the keyboard.

I wouldn't worry about battery life from keeping the Fn key pressed down since usually I turn off the keyboard when not used - when the keyboard is used as a mobile keyboard. When used as a desktop keyboard, we will have to see if battery life is reduced.

just a note on the hardware mod: once that key pops off you will never get it back on! There are 2 fragile, interlocking nylon levers which form a challenging puzzle to put back together. They are now in the bin, and I have a big blob of blu-tack holding the key down. — Greg Woods, Jun 28 '14 at 20:57

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 18 '14 at 06:36

6

As per @AkA Kin and @Yuji it seems that AutoHotKey is the solution. Found this great script by tehshane that "remaps the F1-F12 function keys on the Microsoft Sculpt Mobile keyboard to be pressed without having to use the Fn key": https://gist.github.com/tehshane/8765405

answered Jul 18 '14 at 06:36

Kyle Martin

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1
1

1

Thanks for the script, but I do not intend to use third-party software for a keyboard to work fine. I did not try your solution but I accept your answer as a solution, since you said it works for all function keys. Does it make the function keys work by default, or does it completely wipe away the secondary functions (like volume settings)? – kuzditomi Aug 19 '14 at 13:48

score 2 · Answer 3 · answered Aug 30 '13 at 14:23

2

There's no solution... yet. See this thread:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/windows/en-US/bdb36756-b0d3-49f7-932a-ca9d6108192a/sculpt-mobile-keyboard-is-not-recognized-by-mouse-and-keyboard-center

answered Aug 30 '13 at 14:23

Eccentropy

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score 2 · Answer 4 · edited Aug 06 '19 at 11:35

I installed AutoHotKey and the following script worked for me. I'm using Windows 7 though... Don't know if that matters.

Media_Play_Pause::F1
Volume_Mute::F2
return
Volume_Down::F3
Volume_Up::F4
<+<#F21::F5
<!<#F21::
Send,{F6}
return
<^<#F21::
Send,{F7}
return
<#F21::
Send,{Blind}{F8}
return
<^<#BS::
Send,{F9}
return
<^<#Tab::
Send,{F10}
return
<!<#F22::
Send,{F11}
return
<^<#F23::
Send,{F12}
return

score 1 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 10 '13 at 20:34

1

There's a keyboard shortcut for this on the keyboard covers for the Surface (which is also locked in "media key" mode by default): Fn+CapsLock. It's worth a try.

answered Jul 10 '13 at 20:34

Adam

11
1

score 1 · Answer 6 · edited Nov 26 '13 at 12:33

1

After A long time search I find Autohotkey can resolve F1-F4, but for F5-F12 It's not very easy to use. I don't want to wast my time to learn how to use that. The easiest way is past a Scotch tape on the FN key I think....

edited Nov 26 '13 at 12:33

Andrea

1,516
4
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answered Nov 26 '13 at 09:50

AkA Kin

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1

Microsoft Sculpt mobile keyboard reverse Fn keys

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