7 Posts

2457

March 2nd, 2021 14:00

Precision 5550 Add secondary function key that is Fn+Left as Home and Fn+Right as End

I want to use Fn+Left/Fn+Right for Home/End like on previous Precision Models, so I can navigate through code again without having to look for the Home/End on my new Precision 5550 laptop keyboard.

Home and End are moved to Fn+F11/F12, as Dell has also done on other models like XPS 9310. I’m using the Home and End buttons very often during software development, Home and End are major button keys when navigating through code. On my previous Precision, I got used to the Fn+Left/Right for Home/End, and Fn+Up/Down was wired in my brain as Page Up/Down, the latter also being very much part of code navigation.

The F11 and F12 buttons are much harder to reach, plus they are somewhere ‘in the middle’, so I have to actually look and focus to find the buttons.

I've read another thread : https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/Control-Home-Control-End-Keys/td-p/6212592/page/9 discussing the same issue for XPS model(s). Ce123 pointed out there is a bios update for XPS 9310 at https://www.dell.com/support/home/de-de/drivers/driversdetails?driverid=42j0p&oscode=wt64a&productcode=xps-13-9310-laptop , describing an additional feature being added: "Added secondary function key that is Fn+Left as Home and Fn+Right as End."

Now I'm wondering if Precision 5550 owners and users are going to be as lucky as XPS 9310 owners. I've contacted Dell Support, the support itself is great, although I'm hitting a wall for this particular request. I'm not getting past second line support. Not even answering the question if the feature is even considered for Precision 5550 at all.

Therefore, I'm placing my request here: I want the same feature for the Precision 5550 the XPS 9310 got. Maybe someone clever at Dell reads this and puts in my feature request for the next BIOS update.

By the way, I'm very familiar with AutoHotKey and key mapping tools, they are not a solution, just a workaround. Suggestions have been added to several other discussions. It won't work in my case, because no key combinations are available. They are used by IDE's or are even more complicated than Fn+F11/F12.

If you are frustrated about this as well, please press +1 on kudos, maybe someone at Dell notices.

Related discussions: https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/XPS-15-change-Home-and-End-keys-to-Fn-Left-and-Fn-Right/td-p/7623794
https://www.dell.com/community/XPS/Control-Home-Control-End-Keys/td-p/6212592

 

 

6 Posts

January 19th, 2022 09:00

Hello all, It seems to be that Fn + Left/Right works now for Home/End respectively. I am not sure when the changes took effect, but I have bios version 1.12. 

Thank you Dell!

Moderator

 • 

27.6K Posts

 • 

127 Points

March 3rd, 2021 03:00

Thank you! We have received the required details. We will work towards a resolution. In the meantime, you may also receive assistance or suggestions from the community members.

1 Message

April 11th, 2021 18:00

Any update on this?
I'm having a hard time trying to navigate through code. 

7 Posts

April 13th, 2021 23:00

I have not received any message from Dell on this. There's a 1.7.1 BIOS update available since yesterday, but I have not had the chance to try it and see if an alternative option for Home/End is available.

6 Posts

April 26th, 2021 04:00

I checked the 1.7.1 bios, there is still no option to enable said functionality

I am really satisfied with the computer, but the lack of Fn+Left/Right for Home/End respectively severely reduces my productivity when coding. 

6 Posts

April 26th, 2021 07:00

A (hopefully temporary) workaround I found for Windows 10 was to use AutoHotkey to remap CapsLock such that

CapsLock+Left = Home

and

CapsLock + Right=End

The AutoHotkey script is as follows:

 

 

~*CapsLock::SetCapsLockState, AlwaysOff
CapsLock & Left::
    if GetKeyState("Shift","P")
        SendInput, +{Home}
    else
        SendInput, {Home}
    Return

CapsLock & Right::
    if GetKeyState("Shift","P")
        SendInput, +{End}
    else
        SendInput, {End}
    Return

 

 

 

7 Posts

April 26th, 2021 13:00

The script is the most useful workaround so far. I would also script page up and down the same way, just to somewhat unify the navigation controls.

 

6 Posts

April 27th, 2021 02:00

Agreed! I actually implemented that behavior after posting here, here is the whole script:

~*CapsLock::SetCapsLockState, AlwaysOff
CapsLock & Left::
    if GetKeyState("Shift","P")
        SendInput, +{Home}
    else
        SendInput, {Home}
    Return

CapsLock & Right::
    if GetKeyState("Shift","P")
        SendInput, +{End}
    else
        SendInput, {End}
    Return

; I don't handle the Shift key here since I never use Shift+PgUp/PgDn
CapsLock & Up::SendInput, {PgUp}
CapsLock & Down::SendInput, {PgDn}

 

7 Posts

February 7th, 2022 03:00

This is wonderful, I have it as well!

I didn't need it much, because I did not use the laptop as much on-the-go due to the pandemic.

Thanks Naphat, for notifying, when Dell didn't respond at all.

No Events found!

Top