Double Command works perfectly for this in OS X. But I can't find any program to do this in Windows 7.
The button lacks a scan code, so a .dll fixed this on Windows XP, but does not work on Win7.
Is there any chance of Boot Camp ever supporting this, or Double Command working in Windows too?
MacBook Air, Windows 7
I've got exactly the same problem with my Macbook Air 2011 in Windows 7 (Bootcamp), I also would like to swap the "function" key with the "control" key (on the left side of the MBA keyboard).
It should be easy enough for Apple to add/fix this in an update for bootcamp.
A lot of "switchers" like myself have engrained habits from PC (with Control being in the left corner), not least in CAD where Ctrl is used a lot.
It would be nice and appropriate of Apple to address this issue, since they are usually very focused on user experience/ergonomics and customizability...
I've switched some other keys with Autohotkey (such as swapping alt and windows keys, making F12 the print-screen button and so on), which is easy enough, but, in order to change the fn key one would have to mess more deeply with the registry and that doesn't seem very safe or easy for the average user.
It would be highly appreciated if apple could build us a complete key-remapping app for Windows and include it as a download in updates for BootCamp.
It would help a lot of PC users feel more comfortable with switching to mac (likely still using windows for this-or-that specialized need, as do I).
Since they will be able to work in the same way on their ie MBA in "pc-mode" as they did on their previous PC hardware (ie an Engineer who works in the same 3D software for years, on PC, doesnt want to change A THING, which is fair enough), they will feel much more comfortable with getting cozy with OSX...
Looking forward to the good news asap!
Otherwise insanely happy with my machine, fantastic piece of equipment, does everything I need it to (except above).
Cheers,
Lorenzo
What would be even better than a software patch for Windows would be a BIOS-level setting. If the setting could be changed at the BIOS level, it would apply to any operating system and could possibly apply to the integrated keyboard only. The problem with switching it at the software level is it affects all keyboards in the system, effectively disabling Left Control on external keyboards. A much better design would be an option for the end user to switch the keys for the integrated keyboard and not affect other keyboards.
Thinkpads offer this option. Why not a Mac?
jaraco wrote:
What would be even better than a software patch for Windows would be a BIOS-level setting. If the setting could be changed at the BIOS level, it would apply to any operating system and could possibly apply to the integrated keyboard only. The problem with switching it at the software level is it affects all keyboards in the system, effectively disabling Left Control on external keyboards. A much better design would be an option for the end user to switch the keys for the integrated keyboard and not affect other keyboards.
Thinkpads offer this option. Why not a Mac?
Macs do not have a Bios
Right. I said "BIOS-level". What I mean is to make the setting configurable at a layer below the operating system layer. Maybe the setting happens in the EFI, or maybe it happens in the keyboard hardware itself (as controlled by the EFI or the OS). Regardless, it would be nice if the hardware could be instructed to swap those keys.
Just another bump from yet another MBA user on windows boot camp.
I am so sick of this and wish apple gave the option in boot camp software! of course they don't care, their priorities are maximising sales of new ipads and iphones.
Any idea what that DLL was that supposedly worked on xp?????
Here is the WinXP guide: http://www.autohotkey.net/~daonlyfreez/tutorials/3p/Veil/fnkey.htm
Cool oyvindd, thanks for that. so you're saying that one of those DLLs (I've tried them all on Win7 to no avail) actually DETECTs the fn key on a Macbook air WinXP bootcamp???? you successfully swapped fn with ctrl on MBA WinXP????
No, I have not tried it myself as I do not have Windows XP installed.
then how do you know it works on xp? do you have a link showing a report of mba xp doing it? waiting with breathless anticipation...
I just assumed it would work in Apple computers, since it is a program made for laptops like MSI, Lenovo (can be changed in BIOS) and others with strange fn-key position. So maybe something similar can do this in MBA Win7.
The keyboard layout is not so important for me that I'll change from Windows 7 to XP, but would be really happy if Apple made an option to change this in the Boot Camp program.
I would switch from my old windows Laptop to a Macbook Pro retina notebook tomorrow, if their was a Fn/Ctrl key swap solutoin for Windows 8 via bootcamp. I refuse to fumble trying to copy/paste when my pinky can't even find the key. :-/ It's such a shame that this one silly thing is a show stopper but it really is!
fixed this problem. http://samartzidis.github.io/WinA1314/ << took me all night to find, but It fixed the fn to cntrl 🙂 enjoy.
Swap fn with ctrl in Windows 7?
