The F8 key is a function key found at the top of almost all computer keyboards. The key is often used to open Safe Mode in Windows. As mentioned below, F8 also has other uses depending on the computer and program.

How to use the F8 key

Open the program that uses the key and press F8. If the F8 key also has an icon on the key, it indicates the key has a secondary function. To use the secondary function, press and hold down the Fn key, and while continuing to hold the key, press F8.

  • How to use the F8 key.
  • Where is the F8 key used?
  • The secondary function of F8.
  • Where is the F8 key on my smartphone or tablet?
  • Related keyboard shortcuts and keys.
  • Related information.
  • Computer keyboard shortcuts.

If when pressing the F8 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 F8, hold down fn, and press F8.

Information about the secondary function is found in the below secondary function of F8 section.

If the FnLk (function lock) is enabled, the keyboard acts as if the Fn key is being pressed until it is unlocked.

Where is the F8 key used?

The following list is all the locations where the F8 key can be used with information about its use.

If the F8 key is not working on the keyboard, see: Some keys on my computer keyboard aren’t working.

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Apple macOS
  • TextPad

Microsoft Excel

Enters Extend Mode in Microsoft Excel that makes highlighting multiple cells easier.

  • How to select one or more cells in a spreadsheet program.

Microsoft Windows

Function key used to enter the Windows startup menu, commonly used to access Windows Safe Mode. Some earlier computers may also use this key at boot to access the Windows recovery system, but may require a Windows installation CD.

Apple macOS

Displays a thumbnail image for all workspaces in macOS.

TextPad

Pressing the F8 key opens the Replace window in TextPad.

The secondary function of F8

For laptop keyboards and desktop computer keyboards with the Fn key, each function key has two functions. Unfortunately, there’s no standard to what each key uses as its secondary function, so every keyboard is different. Below is a list of different keyboards and their secondary function for the F8 key.

  • Apple keyboard F8 key
  • Cooler Master keyboard F8 key
  • Dell keyboard F8 key
  • HP keyboard F8 key
  • Lenovo ThinkPad F8 key
  • Logitech keyboard F8 key
  • Microsoft Surface F8 key

Apple keyboard F8 key

The default F8 key primary function on Apple keyboards is to play and pause in media players. Pressing fn+F8 for the secondary function is F8.

Cooler Master keyboard F8 key

On Cooler Master desktop keyboards, the F8 secondary function is one of the following options depending on the model.

  • With a single-color keyboard backlight keyboards, FN+F8 skips to the next audio track or song in supported programs (e.g., Windows Media Player).

Dell keyboard F8 key

The F8 key secondary function on Dell laptop keyboards is to mute and unmute the volume.

HP keyboard F8 key

On Hewlett-Packard laptop keyboards with a screen or box symbol on the F8 key, the secondary F8 function turns up the audio.

Lenovo ThinkPad F8 key

On the IBM and Lenovo ThinkPad keyboards with a line through an antenna, the F8 key secondary function is to enable and disable airplane mode.

Logitech keyboard F8 key

On Logitech keyboards with a “G” in a circle on the key, the F8 key toggles the Game mode, which disables the Windows key.

Logitech keyboards with two arrows pointing to the right fast forward or go to the next track in supported media players.

Advanced Game mode settings are also available in the Logitech Gaming Software.

Microsoft Surface F8 key

On the Microsoft Surface laptops, the F8 key secondary function is the PrtScrn button.

Where is the F8 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 F8 key.

Below are links to related keyboard shortcuts and individual key pages.

  • F1
  • F2
  • F3
  • F4
  • F5
  • F6
  • F7
  • F9
  • F10
  • F11
  • F12

Fn, Function keys, Keyboard, Keyboard terms

  • How to change the default behavior of the function keys.
  • What are the F1 through F12 keys?
  • Keyboard help and support.