how to restore original function key settings

Question

i changed a couple of my function keys and i would like to change them back to the original settings.

Answer 1

May I know you computer make and model?

Answer 2

Restoring function keys to their original behavior depends on how they were changed.

1. If using a Surface Keyboard or Surface Type Cover
   • The top row keys can act either as special keys (volume, brightness, etc.) or as standard F1–F12 function keys.
   • To toggle between modes:
     1. Press the Fn key once to lock the keys into function mode (F1–F12). An LED on the Fn key indicates function mode is active.
     2. Press Fn again to return to the default special-key behavior.
   • When in function mode, F1–F12 work according to each app’s default assignments (for example, F1 = Help, F12 = Save/Dev Tools depending on the app).
2. If using the Microsoft All-in-One Media Keyboard
   • To restore the default behavior of the function keys (turn FN Lock off/on):
     1. Press Fn + Caps Lock together to enable FN Lock (function keys stay in their alternate mode).
     2. Press Fn + Caps Lock again to disable FN Lock and return to original function key behavior.
3. If function keys were remapped in Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center
   • Many alternate command keys (Help, Undo, Redo, New, Open, Close, Reply, Fwd, Send, Spell, Save, Print) can be reassigned.
   • To restore them:
     1. Open Microsoft Mouse and Keyboard Center.
     2. Select the keyboard.
     3. For each function key that was changed, reset it to its default command (for example, Help, Undo, Save, Print) as listed in the “Use alternate command keys” table.
4. If using Narrator and changed keyboard commands
   • Narrator allows custom keyboard commands.
   • To restore original Narrator keyboard shortcuts:
     1. Open Narrator Settings.
     2. Go to Commands.
     3. Select Restore all default to return all commands to their default settings.

If the function keys were changed through vendor-specific software (for example, HP, Dell, Lenovo utilities), use that vendor’s keyboard/Hotkey utility to reset to defaults.

---

References:

• How do I use the Fn key/F Lock key/Alternate command keys?
• Use the special keys on Surface Keyboard
• Special keys and function keys for Surface Keyboards or Type Covers
• Chapter 7: Customizing Narrator
• How do I make the Function Keys work directly - Microsoft Q&A