I have been using a computer for years and although I will have stumbled across this at some point it never stuck / sank in before.

There are 24 function keys assigned for keyboards. (F1-F24!)

That blew my mind!

What made you (re)discover this?

Recently I got a Stream Deck XL and while setting it up I had keyboard combinations clashing across applications and it was driving me round the bend!

While I was looking through the menu for assigning key combinations I spotted that the Function keys section had F13-F24 keys!?

5 minutes of Googling later and I was gobsmacked that I didn't know this before! Keyboards can have up to 24 function keys?

Anyway now that I knew about these "dead" keys that nobody uses anymore I had a way of stopping clashes.

How many extra keys / combinations does that give that won't clash?

When combined with Shift, Ctrl and Alt and Windows it gave me 60 keys / combinations guaranteed not to clash with anything else on your keyboard or interfere with 99% of software (and potentially another 120 keys / combinations if I want to use combinations of Shift, Ctrl, Alt and Windows combined).

Now I can program 60 keys into my stream deck for global functions and macros that will not clash with anything I currently have set up (or shortcuts already set within applications).

Anyway, I just thought it was interesting and I would share it!

Why Do You Have A Stream Deck, You Aren't A Streamer!

As to why I got a stream deck when I don't stream - article coming out next month on that but I can tell you the conclusion now...every developer should save up and buy one!

Anyway, a random post for tonight, did you know that there were 24 function keys and...does anybody own a keyboard that has the F13-F24 keys on?!?