What are the F1 through F12 keys works?

The function keys or F-keys on a computer keyboard, labeled F1 through F12, are keys that have a special function defined by the operating system, or by a currently running program. They may be combined with the Alt or Ctrl keys.

F1:

• Almost always used as the help key, almost every program opens a help screen when this key is pressed.
• Enter CMOS Setup.
• Windows Key + F1 would open the Microsoft Windows help and support center.
• Open the Task Pane.

F2

• In Windows renames a highlighted icon, file, or folder in all versions of Windows.
• In Microsoft Excel edits the active cell.
• Alt+Ctrl+F2 opens document window in Microsoft Word.
• Ctrl+F2 displays the print preview window in Microsoft Word.
• Quickly rename a selected file or folder.
• Enter CMOS Setup.

F3

• Often opens a search feature for many programs including Microsoft Windows when at the Windows desktop.
• In MS-DOS or Windows command line F3 will repeat the last command.
• In Microsoft Word Ctrl+F3 will lowercase any highlighted text.
• Shift+F3 will change the text in Microsoft Word from upper to lowercase or a capital letter at the beginning of every word.
• Windows Key + F3 opens the Advanced find window in Microsoft Outlook.
• In Windows Explorer start the search function.
• Open Mission Control on an Apple computer running macOS X.

F4

• Open find window in Windows 95 to XP.
• Open the address bar in Windows Explorer and Internet Explorer.
• Repeat the last action performed (Word 2000+).
• Alt+F4 closes the program window currently active in Microsoft Windows.
• Ctrl+F4 closes the open window or tab in the active window in Microsoft Windows.

F5

• In all modern Internet browsers, pressing F5 will refresh or reload the page or document window.
• Ctrl+F5 forces a complete refresh of the web page, clearing the cache and downloading all contents of the page again.
• Refresh the list of contents in a folder.
• Open the find, replace, and go to window in Microsoft Word.
• Starts a slideshow in PowerPoint.

F6

• Move the cursor to the address bar in Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, and most other Internet browsers.
• Ctrl+Shift+F6 opens to another open Microsoft Word document.
• Reduce laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F7

• Commonly used to spell check and grammar check a document in Microsoft programs such as Microsoft Word, Outlook, etc.
• Shift+F7 runs a Thesaurus check on the word highlighted.
• Turns on Caret browsing in Mozilla Firefox.
• Increase laptop speaker volume (on some laptops).

F8

• Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode.
• Used by some computers to access the Windows recovery system, but may require a Windows installation CD.
• Displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces in macOS.

F9

• Refresh document in Microsoft Word.
• Send and receive e-mail in Microsoft Outlook.
• Opens the Measurements toolbar in Quark 5.0.
• Reduce laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
• With macOS 10.3 or later, displays a thumbnail for each window in a single workspace.
• Using the Fn key and F9 at the same time opens Mission Control on an Apple computer running macOS X.

F10

• In Microsoft Windows activates the menu bar of an open application.
• Shift+F10 is the same as right-clicking on a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
• Access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
• Enter CMOS Setup on some computers.
• Increase laptop screen brightness (on some laptops).
• With macOS 10.3 or later, shows all open Windows for the active program.

F11

• Enter and exit fullscreen mode in all modern Internet browsers.
• Ctrl+F11 as the computer is starting to access the hidden recovery partition on many Dell computers.
• Access the hidden recovery partition on eMachines, Gateway, and Lenovo computers.
• With macOS 10.4 or later, hides all open windows and shows the desktop.

F12

• Open the Save as window in Microsoft Word.
• Ctrl+F12 opens a document In Word.
• Shift+F12 saves the Microsoft Word document (like Ctrl+S).
• Ctrl+Shift+F12 prints a document in Microsoft Word.
• Preview a page in Microsoft Expression Web.
• Open Firebug or browser debug tool.
• With an Apple running macOS 10.4 or later, F12 shows or hides the Dashboard.
• Access the list of bootable devices on a computer at startup, allowing you to select a different device to boot from (hard drive, CD or DVD drive, floppy drive, USB drive, and network).