GrahamTheDev

Posted on Nov 23, 2021

🤯 Did you know there are F13-F24 keys? 🤯

#discuss #todayilearned #watercooler

I have been using a computer for years and although I will have stumbled across this at some point it never stuck / sank in before.

There are 24 function keys assigned for keyboards. (F1-F24!)

That blew my mind!

What made you (re)discover this?

Recently I got a Stream Deck XL and while setting it up I had keyboard combinations clashing across applications and it was driving me round the bend!

While I was looking through the menu for assigning key combinations I spotted that the Function keys section had F13-F24 keys!?

5 minutes of Googling later and I was gobsmacked that I didn't know this before! Keyboards can have up to 24 function keys?

Anyway now that I knew about these "dead" keys that nobody uses anymore I had a way of stopping clashes.

How many extra keys / combinations does that give that won't clash?

When combined with Shift, Ctrl and Alt and Windows it gave me 60 keys / combinations guaranteed not to clash with anything else on your keyboard or interfere with 99% of software (and potentially another 120 keys / combinations if I want to use combinations of Shift, Ctrl, Alt and Windows combined).

Now I can program 60 keys into my stream deck for global functions and macros that will not clash with anything I currently have set up (or shortcuts already set within applications).

Anyway, I just thought it was interesting and I would share it!

Why Do You Have A Stream Deck, You Aren't A Streamer!

As to why I got a stream deck when I don't stream - article coming out next month on that but I can tell you the conclusion now...every developer should save up and buy one!

Anyway, a random post for tonight, did you know that there were 24 function keys and...does anybody own a keyboard that has the F13-F24 keys on?!?

Top comments (18)

planetyt • Oct 8 '23

I set up Keyboard Manager in PowerToys so when my numlock is off, the numpad keys function as f13-f24

Vishal • Dec 14 '23

Hello can u let me know how u were able to remap when numpadis off in keyboard manager? I don't see any option for that

Delta • Mar 19

In Keyboard Manager, open the Remap a key window, add a key remapping and with NumLock off, click Select and press the numpad button you want to use.

When NumLock is off, your numpad buttons map to: Ins, End, Down, PgDn, Left, Clear, Right, Home, Up, PgUp instead of the normal 0-9. It isn't a separate option, they just send different keys when NumLock is off.

Remco Boerma • Dec 6 '21

I used to have one of those old server keyboards. F13 was a combination of alt or shift or control combined with F1 through F12.
Tested it with the scan codes the thing produced (when every hacker still used a paper reference) so while promising, collisions will happen as you will not get new combos.

GrahamTheDev • Dec 6 '21

Interesting as I haven’t had a collision (yet!)

I wonder if I have just been lucky, going to have to investigate now.

I don’t often say this but I really hope you are wrong! 😜🤣

Thank you for the heads up as some of those bindings are linked to some things that if say 2 ran at once it could cause havoc, much appreciated! ❤️

Remco Boerma • Dec 28 '21 • Edited

Your welcome, have you found any collisions yet?

quadibloc.com/comp/scan.htm has a lot of detail about it

This only applies if the operating system on the computer, like Microsoft Windows, attempts to switch the keyboard to Scan Code Set 2. Linux implementations typically choose to use Scan Code Set 3, if it is available, by default, and therefore a 122-key keyboard, under Linux, will behave more like a 101-key keyboard instead of like an 84-key keyboard. This, however, brings with it its own set of problems, because some less-expensive keyboards are known to have problems with their Scan Code Set 3 implementations.

GrahamTheDev • Nov 23 '21

Maybe I am just living under a rock? Who knows, I guess we will find out in the comments!

leob • Nov 24 '21

The one under the rock must be me, never heard of a stream deck until now ... why should "every" developer get one?

GrahamTheDev • Nov 24 '21

You will have to wait for the article for a persuasive argument but in short, programmable macro keys that adapt to the application you have open (the keys automatically change the screens and functions when you switch applications) is a game changer for most (all) developers as it can shave a few minutes off your day and our time is (should be) valuable.

Victor Loveday • Dec 10 '21

I thought I was the only one on your table

dottxado • Nov 30 '21

I remember when I was kid I played the first time to The Secrets of Monkey Island, and found a log in the forest that told me to insert I-don't-remember-what-floppy and press F13....now I know that it was not an easter egg!