Windows: The "Fn" Button Explained - Function and Uses

The "Fn" button is a relatively new achievement, but also well over ten years old. We explain the reasons for its emergence and show its purpose with several examples.

A higher level: the "Fn" button allows even more functionality at the touch of a button.

The "Fn" button originated on Windows laptops. Nowadays, it can also be found on most standalone keyboards, which are common for desktop PCs.

Windows: "Fn" key for more shortcuts

The need for an additional key resulted from the lack of the NUM pad on laptops.

• "Fn" stands for "function", as the keystroke enables extended functionality.
• In other words, some keys are equipped with two groups of commands. With the "Fn" key, you can reach the additional level.
• In practice, this means: Per "Fn" key, laptop-specific functions such as screen brightness can be regulated by pressing "Fn" plus the corresponding key.
• In addition, an area of the keyboard is switched to the function of the NUM pad on laptops. This is not only suitable for laptops, but also for narrow desktop keyboards that do not have a numeric keypad (such as this model).

The "Fn" key is thus intended to be able to execute alternative commands. The key is usually located in the bottom row in the area to the right of the Space key, on some keyboards it can be found on the left, near the "Win" key.