Aero 13 "Dedicated" INSERT key unusable when also pressing CTRL or SHIFT

[merscwog]

On my new HP Pavilion Aero 13 Laptop, it seems impossible to enter CTRL+INS or SHIFT+INS.

Regardless of whether the Action Keys Mode is enabled or disabled in the BIOS, when the SHIFT or CTRL keys are pressed, any attempt to utilize the F12/INSERT key always sends a SHIFT+F12 or CTRL+F12.

The correct behavior for the different modes should be:

Action Keys Mode Enabled:

    CTRL+INSERT should send CTRL+INS  (_NOT_ CTRL+F12 like it does now)

    SHIFT+INSERT should send SHIFT+INS  (_NOT_ SHIFT+F12 like it does now)

Action Keys Mode Disabled:

    CTRL+FN+INSERT should send CTRL+INS  (_NOT_ CTRL+F12 like it does now)

    SHIFT+FN+INSERT should send CTRL+INS  (_NOT_ SHIFT+F12 like it does now)

I'm ready to send this laptop back, as I specifically purchased it because it had a "dedicated" INSERT key and assumed there would be some valid key combinations that would allow CTRL+INS or SHIFT+INS to be entered.

[Nirvana_95]

Hi @merscwog 

Welcome to the HP Support Community. Thanks for bringing this to our notice.

I see that you are facing issues with your system. Do not worry, we are here to fix it.

May I know which feature are you trying to use using these combinations?

Where exactly are you using this combination?

Let me know what exactly you hope to achieve from CTRL+Insert?

Please note that Ctrl+Ins is a keyboard shortcut most often used to copy text. You may also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+C to copy selected text or other objects

Hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. 

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping. 

[Nirvana_95]

Hello!

We haven’t heard from you in a while, this post is with reference to the thread you had created at your  

friendly neighborhood (HP Support Community). 

I would like to know if the resolution we provided worked for you? If you have any other queries, feel free to reply at any time, and thank you for being a valuable member of our HP Family. 

If you would like to thank us for our efforts to help you, go to the public post & give us a virtual high-five by clicking the "Thumbs Up" icon below, followed by clicking on the "Accept as solution" on my public post. 

Have a great day ahead! 

[Nirvana_95]

Hi @merscwog

I hope you are doing good.

We reached out but never heard back. Do you still need assistance? Let me know if there is anything else you need assistance with.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. 

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping. 

Have a great day! 

Thanks! 

[merscwog]

You are correct that CTRL+INS is indeed used for copying text, specifically when working within a windows command shell or in a linux console shell where CTRL-C means to INTERRUPT a running process.

The Aero 13 should be capable of inputting CTRL+INS and SHIFT+INS, but they've implement the BIOS-level keyboard mappings so it currently is not possible, because any press of SHIFT or CTRL automatically means that the Function key values are used.  This might have been deliberate, because most of the action key capabilities would have no additional meaning in combination with SHIFT and/or CTRL, but INS absolutely does.

Unfortunately, this makes the Aero 13 poorly suited for developers or system administrators -- which is ironic, as it has a semi-dedicated INS key on the keyboard, that would make it superior for those purposes compared to most other small-footprint laptops without dedicated numpads, if only the BIOS were programmed to allow it to be used in full combination with the CTRL and SHIFT keys.

[Nirvana_95]

I understand your callout here. I will take it as feedback and will surely inform my internal team about it.

Thanks for bringing this to our notice.

Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. 

Click the “Yes" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping.