Apple laptop boot menu key. Simulating the Insert Key on a MacBook Pro Filed under Computers, Programming; For almost the last 20 years, an Apple laptop of one variety or another has been my main computing device. My keyboard doesn't have an insert key. After some brief googling, I discovered that Apple eliminated the Insert key because they though overwrite mode. Simulating the Insert Key on a MacBook Pro Filed under Computers, Programming For almost the last 20 years, an Apple laptop of one variety or another has been my main computing device. Simulating the Insert Key on a MacBook Pro Filed under Computers, Programming For almost the last 20 years, an Apple laptop of one variety or another has been my main computing device.
Do you use a Mac for running Windows? This can be done using Apple's Boot Camp or using a ‘real' Windows machine via Remote Desktop.
Either way you will quickly notice that certain keys and the ability right-click are missing!
Summary
| To accomplish | Do this |
| right-click | Put TWO fingers on the trackpad and click |
| scroll | Drag using TWO fingers on the trackpad |
| backspace (aka delete left) | Use delete key |
| delete (aka delete right) | Use fn-delete key |
| Windows key | Apple key (duh) |
| Page Up, Page Down | Fn-Up Arrow |
| Home, End | Fn-Left Arrow |
| F1 to F12 | Fn-F1 to Fn-F12 |
| right-click drag | (if someone figures this out please tell!) |
Summary
Learn how Boot Camp maps Microsoft Windows functions and special keys to the MacBook Pro built-in keyboard, as well as which keys to use for various functions.
Keyboards For Macbook Pro
Note: MacBook built-in keyboards are similar to MacBook Pro built-in keyboards, but there are some differences (such as Keyboard Illumination keys, which are not on a MacBook keyboard). However, the majority of this article applies to MacBook keyboards as well.
Sample MacBook Pro built-in keyboard
Products Affected
Macbook Pro Keyboard Replacement
Boot Camp, Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Window Vista
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.
| Function | PC keyboard | MacBook Pro built-in keyboard |
| Print Screen | ||
| Print active window | — | |
| Scroll Lock | ||
| Pause/Break | — | |
| Backspace delete | ||
| Insert | — | |
| Number lock | ||
| Alt (Option) | ||
| Enter | ||
| AltGr / Alt GR | (Right Alt key) | |
| Forward delete | ||
| Applications | — | |
| Windows logo (Start menu) |
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.
Your Apple keyboard provides certain keys that are not available on Windows/PC keyboards.
| Function | PC keyboard | MacBook Pro built-in keyboard |
| Brightness down | — | |
| Brightness up | — | |
| Volume down | — | |
| Volume up | — | |
| Mute | — | |
| Media eject | — | |
| Media eject secondary optical drive | — | |
| Delete | — | |
| Fn (Function) | — | |
| Display Mode Toggle | — | |
| Keyboard Illumination Toggle (MacBook Pro) | — | |
| Decrease Keyboard Illumination | — | |
| Increase Keyboard Illumination | — |
Numeric keypad mappings
Apple external and built-in keyboards provide the same functionality as Microsoft-compatible numeric keypads.
To enable numerical input, press Num Lock on a PC keyboard, or Fn-Numlock on the MacBook Pro keyboard.
The chart below shows equivalent keystrokes.
| Function | PC keyboard | MacBook Pro built-in keyboard |
| Page Up | (Numlock off) | |
| Page Down | (Numlock off) | |
| Insert | — | |
| Decimal Point | (Numlock off) | |
| Delete | (Numlock off) | |
| Up arrow | (Numlock off) | |
| Down arrow | (Numlock off) | |
| Left arrow | (Numlock off) | |
| Right arrow | (Numlock off) | |
| Home | (Numlock off) |
Macbook Pro Keyboard Repair
Additional Information
Note: If you disable the Apple Keyboard Support driver in Windows, Windows will not recognize extended Function keys, nor the (Fn) key.
Filed under: Mac, Tech Tips | Apple computer virus removal.
