HP Programmable Key

[Mjohn753]

My laptop comes with the HP programmable key on it (F12), and automatically defaults to either OMEN or myHP. I downloaded the Programmable Key app from the windows store, it launches, but when any change is attempted to be made to the applications, this error appears 

I have attempted to reinstall the app, reinstall drivers, my computer is fully updated, and the HP support assistant says everything is up to date. I have seen other posts about this issue, but none seem to fix anything. It is not possible to run this application through administrator (unless I cannot figure it out on my own), there are no errors in event viewer, and nothing else conflicts with the key - because HP is the only thing that controls it. I just cannot seem to get this application to work, and I essentially have a useless key on my keyboard. 

My thought is that there is a driver issue, but it could be anything at this point. 

Any help is appreciated. I want my key back!

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Mjohn753,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Here's how you can address it step by step:

If the app isn't functioning, resetting the registry settings might help. Open the registry editor by pressing Win + R, typing regedit, and navigating to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\HP\ProgrammableKey. Before making any changes, back up the registry by right-clicking the "ProgrammableKey" folder and selecting "Export." Then, delete the folder, restart your laptop, and check if the app works again.

Alternatively, if you want to bypass the app entirely and still remap the F12 key, using Windows PowerToys is a great option. Download the tool from the Microsoft Store, open the "Keyboard Manager" feature within PowerToys, and remap F12 to perform your desired action. This can effectively assign a custom shortcut even if the HP app is malfunctioning.

Lastly, if the HP Hotkey Support Service isn’t running properly, it might be causing the issue. Open the Services Manager (Win + R → services.msc), locate the HP Hotkey Support Service (or HP Hotkey UWP Service), set its startup type to "Automatic," and ensure the service is running. Restart the laptop and give the Programmable Key app another try.

These steps should cover most scenarios, but feel free to let me know how it goes or if you need further guidance!

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,