How do I add a scroll lock key?

[ilikemyprivacy]

I'm told there is no scroll lock key on my laptop. Can a scroll lock key be programed into it? My old laptop all you had to do was type (Fn + K) and you had a scroll lock key. How do I get that in my laptop?

EDIT: by the way, I'm using a HP 255 G8 Notebook PC.

[NonSequitur777]

@ilikemyprivacy,

Welcome to our HP Community forum!

You are completely right that your HP 255 G8 does not have a physical Scroll Lock key on the keyboard.

However, you can absolutely still use Scroll Lock!

Because every laptop manufacturer maps hidden function keys differently, your old combination (Fn + K) won't work on this model. Here is how you can use Scroll Lock on your HP 255 G8:

1. Try the Hidden HP Key Shortcut:

On many modern HP notebooks, the Scroll Lock key is hidden on a different key combination. Try pressing: Fn + C 

(Note: On some variations of this chassis, Fn + S is used instead).

Reference: How to enable scroll lock on your laptop? Croma Unboxed

2. Use the Windows On-Screen Keyboard (Quickest Virtual Fix):

If the hidden keyboard shortcut doesn't trigger it, Windows has a built-in virtual keyboard that includes the missing key:

1. Press the Windows Key + Ctrl + O at the same time to instantly open the On-Screen Keyboard.
2. Look to the right side of the virtual keyboard and click the ScrLk button.
3. If it turns blue, Scroll Lock is on; click it again to turn it off. You can then close the on-screen keyboard.

3. Permanently Program/Remap a Key (Using PowerToys):

If you use Scroll Lock constantly and want to physically program a key on your laptop to act as the Scroll Lock key, you can do so safely using a free tool from Microsoft:

1. Download Microsoft PowerToys directly from the official Microsoft Store.
2. Open PowerToys and select the Keyboard Manager tool from the sidebar.
3. Click Remap a key.
4. Choose a key you rarely use on your laptop (for example, the Right Alt key, F12, or Insert) and map it to Scroll Lock.

Once set up, pressing that chosen key will instantly act as your physical Scroll Lock button!

Hope this was helpful.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[ilikemyprivacy]

I tried those key combinations and it doesn't work. I was using the windows on-screen keyboard before and I hated it, so I was hoping for an alternative.

These PowerToys, can they make a key combination that involves the Fn key? The whole point of a scroll lock (or Fn key) was to use a key that no other program would use so if I was running that program in an emulator (like an old computer game) I could switch from the game to the emulator without pressing a key the game may need. Games and emulators often use the same hotkeys and a key the game doesn't use will tell the emulator I'm talking to it.

[NonSequitur777]

@ilikemyprivacy,

Unfortunately, no. PowerToys cannot create shortcuts that use the Fn key, because Windows never sees the Fn key as a separate keystroke. The laptop's keyboard firmware intercepts it before the operating system receives any input.

Your use case actually makes perfect sense. Many classic games and emulators use Scroll Lock as an "emulator command" key precisely because games rarely monitor it, so it avoids hotkey conflicts.

A few alternatives you might consider are:

• PowerToys or AutoHotkey can map another rarely used key (for example Pause/Break, F13–F24 if your software supports them, or another unused key) to Scroll Lock—but not an Fn combination.
• If your emulator allows customizing its hotkeys, you could change the emulator's "command" key to something your HP keyboard already has available.
• A small external USB keyboard that includes a physical Scroll Lock key is another option if you use the emulator frequently.

One question: Which emulator are you using? (DOSBox, PCem, 86Box, MAME, VirtualBox, etc.) Some emulators have built-in alternatives to Scroll Lock that may work better on laptops without a dedicated Scroll Lock key.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777

[ilikemyprivacy]

Pause/break is used by some games,  I would be switching between games and emulator without wanting to. The Fn key and the scroll lock key are the only keys I know that won't conflict with any program.

Isn't there a line of code that can be put in my computer that makes Fn + K equal scroll lock? My old computer did that.

By the way, I'm using the emulator Retroarch.

[NonSequitur777]

@ilikemyprivacy,

I understand why you're asking. Unfortunately, the reason your old laptop could do Fn + K = Scroll Lock is because the keyboard firmware (or embedded controller) in that particular laptop was programmed to generate a Scroll Lock scan code when that key combination was pressed.

On the HP 255 G8, the Fn key is handled entirely by the keyboard hardware before Windows ever sees it. Since Windows never receives a separate "Fn" key event, there isn't a registry setting, script, or line of code that can tell Windows "when I press Fn + K, send Scroll Lock." Utilities such as PowerToys and AutoHotkey can only remap keys that Windows actually receives.

If RetroArch specifically requires Scroll Lock, you have a few options:

• Check whether the RetroArch hotkey can be changed. RetroArch allows most hotkeys to be reassigned, so you may be able to choose another key that doesn't conflict with your games.
• Use an external USB keyboard with a physical Scroll Lock key when using RetroArch.
• Use a keyboard remapping utility to map an otherwise unused key to Scroll Lock, if you can identify one that doesn't interfere with your games.

Unfortunately, if the HP 255 G8 firmware doesn't implement an Fn + key → Scroll Lock combination, there isn't a software-only method to add one.

Kind Regards,

NonSequitur777