HP - Disable Action Keys to allow F1-F12 function key access

HP - Disable Action Keys to allow F1-F12 function key access

Problem

A customer needs to use conventional function keys rather than their Action Key assignments.  


Applies to

  1. HP 245 G8
  2. HP 250 G9
  3. Similar HP laptops

Detail

The term Action Keys is what HP calls the functionality where the top row functions are given a second set of funnctions designd to control the laptop hardware/features with the F1-F12 function key assignments requiring Fn+Function key chord to execute standard Windows function keys on default settings.  On HP laptops most frequently locate this setting to change the assignment in in the system BIOS.  This is particularly important for JAWS/ZoomText/Fusion users who make particular use of the standard function keys for important tasks related to the Freedom Scientific software titles.  Since this setting is not accessible whilst in Windows these customers will need local assistance with changing the assignment to fit their needs.

Resolution

  1. Action keys must be disabled within the UEFI BIOS settings screens which are not accessible using  screen reader/magnifier software. 
  2. Additionally getting into BIOS can be quite challenging because it requires key-presses at exactly the right time to get into the BIOS settings menu.  To assist one may set up a Restart To BIOS icon on the desktop to help with this scenario. After this use the steps below to make the necessary changes to disable Action Keys on the affected laptop. 

Method 1 - Use function keys at start up.

  1. Power down the laptop.
  2. Then press Power and iimediaty keep pressing pressing the F10 key for the BIOS menu.
  3. In BIOS settings screen press the right arrow key until you get to Configuration or Advanced tab.
  4. Once on the Configuration or Advanced tab, press the DOWN ARROW arrow until you get to Action Keys Mode.
  5. Then press the ENTER key and then use the arrow keys to change the value to disabled", use the ENTER key to select.
  6. Then press the right arrow key to get to the Exit tab.
  7. Select "Save Changes and Exit" then press the "Enter" key.

Restart to BIOS

to reolve problems with timing the button presses to enter BIOS one can use a Command Prompt command to reboot the system into BIOS instead:
  1. Open Start menu by clicking Windows button or pressing Windows key.
  2. Type to search the word Command.
  3. In the returned results right click Command Prompt then  choose Run As Administrator.
  4. At the prompt enter the command below then press ENTER:

    shutdown.exe /r /fw

    The computer will then restart and load the BIOS menu.
  5. In BIOS settings screen press the right arrow key until you get to Configuration or advanced tab.
  6. Once on the Configuration or Advanced tab, press the down arrow until you get to Action Keys Mode.
  7. Then press the ENTER key and then use the arrow keys to change from to switch to the option disabled then  press ENTER key to select.
  8. Then press the RIGHT ARROW key to get to the Exit tab.
  9. Select Save Changes and Exit then press the ENTER key.

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