Boot Camp: Apple Wireless Keyboard keyboard mapping in Windows

Summary

Learn how Boot Camp maps Microsoft Windows functions and special keys to the external Apple Wireless Keyboard, as well as which keys to use for various functions.

Products Affected

Boot Camp, Keyboards, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7

 

 Apple Wireless Keyboard

Sample Apple Wireless Keyboard (Bluetooth)

Key mappings for Microsoft Windows features

Below is a chart of keyboard functions specific to Microsoft Windows, and equivalent key combinations as they are mapped to Apple keyboards by the Apple Keyboard Support driver.

 PC keyboard some keys highlighted

 

Print Screen PC Print Screen key Mac fn (function) keyMac Shift keyMac F11 and volume down key
Scroll Lock PC Scroll Lock key  Mac fn (function) keyMac Shift keyMac Option keyMac F11 and volume down
Pause/Break PC Pause key  Mac fn (function) keyMac Shift keyMac F12 and volume up key
Backspace delete PC Backspace key  Mac Delete key
Insert PC Insert key  Mac fn (function) keyMac Return key
Alt (Option) key PC Alt key  Mac Option key
Enter PC Enter key Mac Return key 
AltGr / Alt GR PC Alt key (Right Alt key)  Mac Option keyMac Control
Forward delete PC forward delete key  Mac Forward Delete key
Applications PC applications key --
Windows logo (Start menu) PC period delete keypad Mac Command key 

 

Key mappings for Boot Camp features

Some keys are only available on a keyboard designed for Apple computers. They are either named differently or simply not available on a Windows-compatible keyboard.

Apple Wireless Keyboards provide certain keys that are not available on Windows/PC keyboards.

 Apple Wireless Keyboard special keys

 

Brightness down -- Mac F1 and brightness up key 
Brightness up --  Mac F2 and brightness down key
Volume down --  Mac F11 and volume down key
Volume up --  Mac F12 and volume up key
Mute --  Mac F10 and volume mute key
Media eject --  Mac eject key
Media eject secondary optical drive -- Mac Option Mac eject key
Fn (Function) --  Mac fn (function)
Exposé --  Mac F3 and Expose key
Dashboard --  Mac F4 and Dashboard key
Rewind --  Mac F7 and rewind key
Play/Pause --  Mac F8 and play pause key
Fast Forward --  Mac F9 and fast forward key

 

Numeric keypad mappings

For numerical entry on the Apple Wireless Keyboard, use the standard numerical keys beneath the Function keys.

 

Additional Information

Note: If you disable the Apple Keyboard Support driver in Windows, Windows will not recognize the extended Function keys, nor the (Fn) key.

Important: Apple does not provide technical phone support for installing, using, or recovering Microsoft Windows. Support is available for using Boot Camp Setup Assistant, as well as installing or restoring Boot Camp software while booted into Windows. Support articles and discussions may also be available on Apple's support website.

Important: Information about products not manufactured by Apple is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute Apple’s recommendation or endorsement. Please contact the vendor for additional information.
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