Mac Attack: Sending F Keys to Windows Apps
 

This one has me stumped. I need to access some Windows desktops remotely from my Mac using remote desktop client. While working on these machines, I need to send F-key commands - but the Mac won't support this easily.

I've tried changing the F key settings in the keyboard/mouse control, or use combination of keys, but nothing works - pressing F12 either changes the sound volume, or conjures up the Dashboard - but it never sends the key through the window.

Any ideas?

Did you try ctrl+fn+function key

So Alt+F4 would be fn+ctrl+option+F4 for example

ctrl+alt+delete would be fn+ctrl+option+delete

Unfortunately, it didn't work :(

It should simply be cntl+fn plus the key according to what I've done in the past.

Try doing both of these:

1. Make sure your keyboard settings are such that F12 is Dashboard (as opposed to sound).

2. Go into keyboard mappings and reassign Dashboard to some other key combination, so F12 is unassigned.

Then see if it will go through RDC.

That's strange because I use those keys all day long using RDC.

I use ctrl-alt-end in rdc instead of ctrl-alt-del. A workaround is to use the on screen keyboard.

Ctrl-alt-end to replace Ctrl-alt-del is a workaround necessary for Windows RDC clients connecting to Windows machines. (C-A-D is reserved by Windows on every machine.) I think this particular key combination is unrelated to the more general function key issue being discussed above.

How can I conjure up the on-screen keyboard? Will it send a key command to any active program screen?

In XP; Start, Programs, Accessories, Accessibility, On Screen Keyboard

In Vista, I don't recall a link but run the following:
C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe

Ohhh...I thought this was an onscreen keyboard for Mac :)

What I'm trying to do is send a F12 command to a server during its boot process via the 'rdp'-like 'out of band' terminal window. Since it's not yet running, I can't use the windows keyboard to do the command.

I'm sure there has to be a way to do this on a Mac. I'm going to remap Dashboard away from the F12 key, and then try it again.

Are you using Microsoft Remote Desktop 2.0 for Mac as the RDP client? (available from www.mactopia.com ) Just ensure under your Mac System Preferences, Keyboard, that the Keyboard Shortcut for Dashboard is changed to something else (the new MacBooks use F3 for Dashboard)

I just tested this using Remote Desktop 2.0 and it does work to send the F keys from your keyboard (on a proper imac keyboard just press the F key, On a Macbook try it as is and then try FN + F key) Pressed F12 in Excel and "Save As" opened up as it should on a real Windows PC. That same key mapping should work for a pre-boot RDP session.

Yes! This! I said it a few days ago, above, but I guess I need to use all caps. :)

I tried every combination of helpful suggestions...still no dice :( Not sure what's wrong with my system, but I've gone ahead and asked a colleague in the office to handle the task for me :)

Hopefully some folks learned some tips from the thread at least. I know I did, even if it didn't work for this one task.

Sorry that didn't work. It really should've. There might be something else at play here that's unique to your system. If you ever figure it out, come back and let us know!