F12 key

Question

Level 3

634 points

F12 key

On my Powerbook, the F12 key would cause every open window to move out of the way and allow me to access whatever was on the desktop. Can any of the function keys do this on the MacBook Pro?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.4)

Posted on Oct 4, 2010 12:26 AM

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Answer 1

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Oct 4, 2010 12:47 AM in response to Alec S.

Set how you want it to work using System Preferences / Expose & Spaces - Expose > Keyboard Shortcut

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Answer 2

Oct 4, 2010 1:14 AM in response to iVmichael

The F keys enable special functions by default (as indicated by the little icons on the keys): you can access the normal F key functions by pressing the 'Fn' key.

Alternatively you can have the F keys do their normal activities by going to System Preferences>Keyboard>Keyboard and checking 'Use all F1, F2 keys etc. as standard function keys'. You can then access the special functions such as F8 for iTunes and the brightness and volume by holding the Fn key while pressing the F key.

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Answer 3

iVmichael

Level 6

13,740 points

Oct 4, 2010 2:28 AM in response to Roger Wilmut1

Not sure why you're replying to me Roger, the OP is asking about Expose settings hence my reply ...

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Answer 4

Oct 4, 2010 2:39 AM in response to iVmichael

I meant to reply to him, of course: I assume that F12 is default Exposé setting? - but on the newer Macbook Pros you get a set of different functions unless you hold the Fn key down (F12 is volume up); the point being that you can restore more normal behaviour by the method I posted.

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Answer 5

Alec S. Author

Level 3

634 points

Oct 4, 2010 9:12 AM in response to iVmichael

Hi Michael...thanks for your reply. I went to preferences>expose>keyboard shortcuts, but the function key options didn't include "hiding all windows". The options were "All Windows", "Application Windows", and "Show Desktop". It's odd because the "Fn" key as well as Fn+F11 do the same thing, they just thumbnail the windows that are open. How do I get the computer to move all the windows aside so that I can access something that's on the desktop, like a Word doc, etc.?

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Answer 6

Alec S. Author

Level 3

634 points

Oct 4, 2010 9:21 AM in response to iVmichael

Hi Michael...thanks for your reply. I went to preferences>expose>keyboard shortcuts, but the function key options didn't include "hiding all windows". The options were "All Windows", "Application Windows", and "Show Desktop". It's odd because the "Fn" key as well as Fn+F11 do the same thing, they just thumbnail the windows that are open. How do I get the computer to move all the windows aside so that I can access something that's on the desktop, like a Word doc, etc.?

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Answer 7

Oct 4, 2010 10:13 AM in response to Alec S.

Try control-F11 (or if you haven't altered the behaviour as I listed above, fn-control-F11_.

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Answer 8

Alec S. Author

Level 3

634 points

Oct 4, 2010 4:11 PM in response to Roger Wilmut1

There ya go. I had to press Fn-F11 but you have to get the timing just right. If you let go of either button too quickly, the windows come back. It's funny that they did away with this feature for the F12 button, it was so convenient. Thanks for your help!

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