Updated: 09/12/2023 by Computer Hope
The F10 key is a function key found at the top of almost all computer keyboards. The key activates the menu bar or Ribbon of an open Windows application. As mentioned below, F10 also has other uses depending on the computer and program.
- How to use the F10 key.
- Where is the F10 key used?
- The secondary function of the F10.
- Where is the F10 key on my smartphone or tablet?
- Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
- Related information.
- Computer keyboard shortcuts.
How to use the F10 key
Open the program that uses the key and press F10. If the F10 key also has an icon on the key, it indicates the key has a secondary function. To use the secondary function, press and hold the Fn key, and while continuing to hold the key, press F10.
If when pressing the F10 key, the secondary function is performed (e.g., mutes audio), the function keys are the secondary function. For example, on an Apple computer, to press F10, hold down fn, and press F10.
Note
If the FnLk (function lock) is enabled, the keyboard acts as if the Fn key is being pressed until it is unlocked.
Information about the secondary function is found in the below secondary function of the F10 section.
Note
If the F10 key is not working on the keyboard, see: Some keys on my computer keyboard aren't working.
Where is the F10 key used?
The following list is all the locations where the F10 key can be used, with information about its use.
- Apple macOS
- Compaq (Hewlett Packard)
- Internet browsers
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Windows
- Enter BIOS setup
- Other F10 uses
Apple macOS
With macOS 10.3 or later, F10 shows all open Windows for the active program.
Compaq (Hewlett Packard)
Pressing F10 as some Compaq (Hewlett Packard) computers as it boots accesses the recovery partition.
Internet browsers
Pressing F10 in an Internet browser like Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge selects the kebab menu. Once selected, press Enter or the down arrow to access the items in the menu.
Microsoft Excel
Pressing F10 activates the menu bar in Microsoft Excel.
Microsoft Windows
In most Microsoft Windows programs, the default function of F10 activates the menu bar or Ribbon of an open application. Pressing Shift+F10 is the same as right-clicking a highlighted icon, file, or Internet link.
Enter BIOS setup
On many PCs, as the computer is booting, you see an option to press F10 to enter setup. Pressing F10 when this message is displayed enters the BIOS or CMOS setup.
Other F10 uses
Access the hidden recovery partition on Compaq, HP, and Sony computers.
The secondary function of the F10
Each function key has two functions for a laptop and desktop computer keyboard with the Fn key. Unfortunately, there's no standard to what each key uses as its secondary function, so every keyboard is different. Below are keyboards and their secondary function for the F10 key.
- Apple keyboard F10 key
- Cooler Master keyboard F10 key
- Dell keyboard F10 key
- HP (Hewlett-Packard) keyboard F10 key
- Lenovo ThinkPad F10 key
- Logitech keyboard F10 key
- Microsoft Surface F10 key
Apple keyboard F10 key
The default F10 key primary function on Apple keyboards is to mute the audio. Pressing fn+F10 for the secondary function is F10.
Cooler Master keyboard F10 key
On Cooler Master desktop keyboards, the F10 secondary function is one of the following options depending on the model.
- With a single-color keyboard backlight keyboards, FN+F10 decreases the audio volume.
- With a multiple backlight colors (RGB) keyboard, FN+F10 sets turbo repeat rate mode.
Dell keyboard F10 key
The F10 key secondary function on Dell laptop keyboards is to mute and unmute the volume.
HP (Hewlett-Packard) keyboard F10 key
On Hewlett-Packard laptop keyboards with a right triangle and two lines, the F10 key secondary function plays and pauses in supported media players.
Lenovo ThinkPad F10 key
On the IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with a magnifying glass symbol, the F9 key secondary function opens the search. For keyboards with the Bluetooth symbol, the F9 key secondary function turns Bluetooth on and off.
Logitech keyboard F10 key
On Logitech keyboards with a solid box, the F9 key is used to stop in supported media players. Logitech keyboards with a speaker icon next to a single line turn down the audio.
Microsoft Surface F10 key
On the Microsoft Surface laptops, the F10 key secondary function is the End key.
Where is the F10 key on my smartphone or tablet?
Smartphones and tablets don't have keyboards like you'd find on a desktop and laptop and therefore don't have an F10 key.
Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.
