Function keys (F1 to F12) have been around since the early days of Windows — and they’re still incredibly useful.
Here’s a quick guide:
- F1 – Opens help menu in most applications
- F2 – Rename selected file or folder
- F3 – Search in File Explorer
- F4 – Opens address bar drop-down in File Explorer
- F5 – Refresh page or window
- F6 – Cycle through elements on a page or window
- F10 – Activates menu bar in some apps
- F11 – Full-screen mode in browsers and File Explorer
These are simple, old-school, but still among the fastest ways to get things done — especially for office and IT users who love efficiency.

