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I have a laptop (Acer Aspire 3 N19C1 if that's relevant) mainly for my kid to attend virtual lessons during COVID-19, and by default the F2 key act as a function key to turn Airplane Mode on/off when the Fn key is not pressed simultaneously:

Wifi/Airplane Mode Fn Key

I managed to train my 6-years old kid to join virtual lessons, and try again if something goes wrong, but he is far from troubleshooting network problems; specifically, he will have no clue if he turns on Airplane Mode by pressing that button accidentally nor will I have a way to help remotely.

How can I disable the Airplane Mode function key while keeping the other key functions (e.g. volume, brightness, etc.)?

  • I've tried:
    • Modifying UEFI firmware settings: could only change default behaviour to F2 without pressing Fn
    • Disabling Airplane Mode Controller, but Disable Device is greyed out in:
      Device Manager → Human Interface Device → Acer Airplane Mode Controller
Kenneth L
  • 14,104

1 Answers1

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If he doesn't need to use F2, just pop the key off, put some sponge rubber or resilient foam plastic under the key, sized to make it difficult, but not too difficult to press the key, and replace the key cap. On a laptop, it may be easier to gently push the foam plastic under the edge of the key using a fine screwdriver blade, being careful not to puncture the membrane below the key.

On my keyboards, I also do this for Caps Lock, to avoid accidental SHOUTING.

DrMoishe Pippik
  • 37,887