HT3399 Function keys vs volume keys

I used to be able to use the "Show all windows" + "Show desktop" shortcuts and the volume keys all with one touch. Now with Mavericks it seems you have to choose, can't have both?? So frustrating. Any suggestions/workarounds?

I guess that's my criticism – if you select "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" it essentially disables one-touch volume control. You have to choose between one-touch Mission Control and one-touch Audio, which seems insane. Especially as new MacBooks only have one Function key on the far left side, making one-handed volume control impossible.
Am I missing something – is there a way to 'program' each of the F keys individually?
My solution for now is to program Option D for "desktop view" and Option W for "application windows" – so at least I can do it one-handed.
It sounds really nitpicky but this is the kind of intuitive stuff I thought Apple was good at!

Similar Messages

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    Hi everyone!
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    It seems that option to use either "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys." may only apply to keyboards that are marked with dual use.
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  • Media Keys working/Volume keys broken

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  • Brightness, media, and volume keys broken

    I am at my wit's end trying to restore functionality to my special keys on my late 2007 macbook running OS X 10.6.8.
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    I've been obsessed with this the last day and a half with no luck. Here is a pretty comprehensive list of what I've tried to fix the problem, though I may forget something since I've done so much:
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    -use a different user account.
    -SMC Reset
    -PRAM reset
    -Safe mode
    -System preferences reset/ inspect all settings related to keyboard, universal access, text to speech according to the numerous help files I found online. (yes, I unchecked "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys"
    -turned off all google chrome background apps and inspected the key bindings of all chrome extensions.
    -Removed Cache folder from library folder.
    -removed recently installed software that I suspected might be related, reinstalled, re-uninstalled.
    -installed OnyX and run all the maintenance/restoration routines I saw in it that didn't sound too scary.
    -Turned on keyboard viewer and verified that each guilty key is recognized by the system when I press it (they all are!).
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    Please help! I'm still holding out hope that there is some simple way to get under the hood and re-assign or reset the keys. I can't even figure out how to disconnect the logitech peripherals (keyboard and mouse), though I've removed all the logitech software I can find.

    I have an early 2007 Mac Book Pro 17" and had to re-install OS X 10.6.8 because of some problems created while installing a 2nd operating system.
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  • Program volume keys on an old style keyboard?

    I use one of the original black keyed keyboards from the bondi blue imacs with my new imac G5. I need a smaller keyboard for the space I have, and the computer sits in a bike shop so the black keys are a nice touch to keep it looking clean.
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    kt
    iMac G3 bondi :: imac G5 isight   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

    1. You wrote: "What are the Fkeys programmed for as default?"Open System Preferences > Keyboard & Mouse > Keyboard Shortcuts and look at the list.
    Unfortunately, none of the F-keys can be reset to the functions of the volume keys using the Keyboard Shortcuts preference pane.
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    You'd also need a set of macros to assign to the keys, e.g. macros to increase, decrease, or mute the volume. Those are tricky to write since System Preferences does not expose much to AppleScript. One would need to use the "GUI Scripting (System Events)" technique to create a script to change the settings in the Sound preferences pane of System Preferences.
    You could search ScriptBuilders to see if someone has already written scripts for the functions you need, then use iKey or Quickeys to assign such to keyboard shortcuts.
    3. You could get a set of external speakers that has their own separate volume and mute control. For example, my trust old Monsoon MM1000s have their own volume control with a mute button.
    4. Put a clear plastic bag over the mouse. If it's an optical mouse, it should still work and that will protect it from grease.
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    Dr. Smoke
    Author: Troubleshooting Mac® OS X

  • Volume keys no longer functional?

    the volume keys quit working on my wired aluminum keyboard this morning.
    nothing new, just stopped wrking. other function keys seem to still be working.
    tested on 10.7 and 10.8.
    tried installing keymap to see if the keys could be tricked into returning, but sadly, no. volume not working with the keyboard any longer.
    this is a wired keyboard. F11 (volume down) now does some thing where it makes stuff on screen slightly larger to fill the screen.
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    thanks, checked every possible combination to restore the volume keys using the keymap4macbook preference pane (what a dumb name, but it is free). working correctly again.

  • Hi I'm new to Mac. I have a macbook air and for some reason the top keys, ec, f1 etc etc are not functioning and emitt the non function noise when pressed. Also the volume keys don't adjust the volume. Have I done something to disable them?

    Hi I'm new to Mac. I have a macbook air and for some reason the top keys, ec, f1 etc etc are not functioning and emitt the non function noise when pressed. Also the volume keys don't adjust the volume. Have I done something to disable them?

    I don't have the same version of OS X here but try System Preferences>Keyboard. Is there an option similar to "Use the F1, etc, keys as standard function keys"?
    If so, and it has a checkmark, uncheck it & see if that does the trick.
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  • My keyboard (wired) has lost functionality on the music PLAY/PAUSE, FORWARD and BACK, and VOLUME KEYS. They do NOTHING. All else is fine. How can I reassign them correctly? (Don't see those functions listed with System Settings/Keybard shortcuts).

    My keyboard (wired) has lost functionality on the music PLAY/PAUSE, FORWARD and BACK, and VOLUME KEYS. They do NOTHING. All else is fine. How can I reassign them correctly? (Don't see those functions listed with System Settings/Keybard shortcuts).

    Crayolla,
    Try doing a SMC and PRAM resets. Sometimes it takes 2-3 attempts for them to work so be a little persistent if they fail the first time.
    SMC RESET
    Shut down the computer.
    Unplug the computer's power cord and all peripherals.
    Press and hold the power button for 5 seconds.
    Release the power button.
    Attach the computers power cable.
    Press the power button to turn on the computer.
    PRAM RESET
    Shut down the computer.
    Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
    Turn on the computer.
    Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
    Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
    Release the keys.

  • My volume keys aren't functioning correctly?

    Well, I just got a brand new keyboard for my iMac, and it's a bit different from my previous keyboard.
    My volume keys aren't working when I try pressing it, and the only way I am able to raise/lower the volume is by going to the top right hand corner and raise/lower the volume with my mouse.
    It gets pretty annoying sometimes when I have to constantly use my mouse to raise/lower the volume, instead of just pressing two buttons on my keyboard.
    Anyone know how to fix this problem?
    Thanks!

    Is it an Apple Keyboard?
    If so what about pressing fn+VolumeUp/VolumeDown

  • Nokia Lumia Black update broke volume key function...

    Since I updated my Lumia 1020 to Nokia Lumia Black, the volume keys stop working while the phone is playing music from time to time.
    It doesn't happen right after selecting the song or album, but after a while I try to + or - the volume and I see the volume indication on top of the screen going up or down, but the volume remains the same. If I stop the music and select another song it works again. So it has to do with continuous playing.
    I have seen this issue reported in several other posts here and other websites, please tell me you are working on this. I can't believe my Lumia 1020, a VERY expensive phone and Nokia's flagship cannot change music volume with its dedicated keys.
    Solved!
    Go to Solution.

    Apparently after a soft reset the issue is no longer present.
    I will keep trying it anyway since I have read that other people could not fix it with a soft reset.

  • Hardware Volume key function

    I m creating an app that can make/receive calls by using hardware volume button press.
    I can see the camera app uses the volume hardware key to take snaps.
    Can we develop the app that does overwrite volume key ?
    Will it get any issue with approval process ? Is there any app that already in app store that does this kinda behaviour ?

    Apparently after a soft reset the issue is no longer present.
    I will keep trying it anyway since I have read that other people could not fix it with a soft reset.

  • Volume keys

    Hi
    I have an imac g4 running leopard. I use an old imac g3 keyboard with it and i want to be able to adjust the volume with f3 f4 etc. i can change the brightness with the keyboard but i cant find how to enable the volume controls. Anyone know how i can do this?
    Edhar

    You may be able to re-assign keys, such as they are, in the Keyboard
    and Mouse system preference panel. There are shortcuts and other
    means of using different keys to perform other tasks.
    • Mac OS X: How to change the behavior of Function keys:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3399
    And if nothing else, you may be able to use another model Mac USB
    keyboard. Or a third-party compatible keyboard made for use with Macs.
    Some of them even have the now-uncommon Power Button. wow.
    Those with a power key can even work on an iMac G4.
    (I have not tried to re-assign or move function of Volume keys before.)
    A white polycarbonate Apple USB keyboard (either Pro or more recent)
    either the Pro white (with white keys) or the pseudo-pro as shipped with
    the eMac and iMac, and G4 Mirror Drive Door tower, would be ideal.
    Since I live in a low-population density area, I usually am on the lookout
    for spare items such as keyboards, mice, retail OS X install discs, & etc.
    And before I may actually need them, since they are cheaper then. If
    you can't get the Keyboard & Mouse preference panel options to work
    to make other keys work to control Volume settings, you may have to
    see if one of the keyboard remapping software apps (shareware) may
    work to do that. Or, if that cost is too high, get another old white keyboard.
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    The item would be a download and probably a shareware with a fee; but
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    Windows keyboard to some extent, and can reassign key functions.
    My first guess would be the Keyboard controls in that system pref panel.
    However, that doesn't amount to much without having tested it myself.
    Remapping keys via several means has been discussed before.
    http://discussions.info.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=11668747
    Good luck & happy computing!

  • Keyboard Volume Keys Not Working Correctly???

    What is wrong with my Mac Pro. The volume keys on the keyboard used to everything on my computer. Now it only controls system volume functions. When I listen to music or watch videos, I can not control the volume with the keyboard. Why not???

    Hi there,
    You may find the article below helpful.
    Mac OS X: How to change the behavior of function keys
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3399
    -Griff W.

  • I am using Photoshop CS5 on a new iMac with a wireless keyboard.  I used to be able to hit F11 to perform a custom sharpening action but now the F11 key is the volume control key and I have tried everything to disable or switch the volume key. I have also

    I am using Photoshop CS5 on a new iMac with a wireless keyboard.  I used to be able to hit F11 to perform a custom sharpening action but now the F11 key is the volume control key and I have tried everything to disable or switch the volume key. I have also tried assigning other function keys to initiate the action. Is there a simple solution to this? What am I missing?

    Try unmounting the volume on your iMac using Disk Utility. Then mount it again. You may need to reboot the laptop or relaunch its Finder process (using the Force Quit window) after remounting the drive on your iMac. Remember that no process may be accessing any files on the drive you plan to unmount, or the unmount will fail. Unmounting and remounting an external drive on my iMac made it become visible on my MacBook Pro after it had disappeared.

  • The volume keys on my Logitech K760 wireless keyboard do not work with my 2.3 GHz, Intel Core i5 Mac mini which runs Mac OS X 10.7.4. Anyone know how to correct this without having to re-code firmware?

    My first post to the Apple Support Community so it looks like all I wanted to know is covered in the title. The research I have done led me to solutions that I am not comfortable trying for fear of irreparably damaging my keyboard and/or Mac mini. Does anyone have a simpler solution? Please? Hellooooo?
    Just in case the title is too long to show, I have re-pasted here:
    The volume keys on my Logitech K760 wireless keyboard do not work with my 2.3 GHz, Intel Core i5 Mac mini which runs Mac OS X 10.7.4. Anyone know how to correct this without having to re-code firmware?

    BDAqua wrote:
    Hello & welcome to the Forums!
    I think Spark cured this for another person and the same problem...
    http://www.shadowlab.org/Software/spark.php
    http://scripts.sil.org/cms/scripts/page.php?site_id=nrsi&id=ukelele
    http://doublecommand.sourceforge.net/
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