Key to turn wi-fi on and off?

[trs3]

On my Windows 11 Probook 460 G11 I am missing a key to quickly enable/disable wi-fi (or airplane mode). I understand that I can mouse down to the taskbar and futz around there, but I want a quick and always accessible way to disable network connections.

There's a programmable key (F11) that can be set to a custom function. You can set it to open an app, website, file, or folder, execute a key sequence, or enter a text string, but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to configure it to do this.

Any suggestions?

[Jupitero · Accepted solution]

Hello.

I find the lack of dedicated Airplane Mode switch button disturbing as well.

A reasonably quick way to toggle the Airplane mode is pressing Win+A, which opens the Windows Action Center, then press right cursor key a couple of times and then finally Enter or Spacebar when the airplane mode is selected.

I found a third party free software that when run, will toggle the airplane mode on and off,  and works in my Windows 11 installation. https://www.portablefreeware.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=26562 

Extract only the Airplane_Mode_switch.exe to e.g. your home folder. The other files are not needed.

In HP Programmable key settings: add a File action and point it to the Airplane_mode_switch.exe program file.

From now on Fn+F12 keyboard combination launches the program and toggles the airplane mode.

[IT_WinSec]

I might be wrong but based on the MSG of the Probook 460 G11, there is no such a key. It exists for higher end devices like Elitebooks/Zbooks, though.

I can propose another workaround with AutoHotkey app:

AutoHotkey Script to Toggle Wi-Fi On/Off with a Hotkey and Notification (Windows 11)

This script lets you toggle your Wi-Fi adapter using a keyboard shortcut and shows a notification to confirm the action.

Hotkey: `Ctrl + Alt + W`

What it does:
- Checks if the Wi-Fi adapter is enabled.
- If it is, it disables it and shows a message box saying "Wi-Fi Disabled".
- If it’s disabled, it enables it and shows "Wi-Fi Enabled".

Script:

^!w:: ; Ctrl + Alt + W hotkey
RunWait, powershell -Command "
$adapter = Get-NetAdapter -Name 'Wi-Fi';
if ($adapter.Status -eq 'Up') {
Disable-NetAdapter -Name 'Wi-Fi' -Confirm:$false;
[System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox]::Show('Wi-Fi Disabled', 'Network Status');
} else {
Enable-NetAdapter -Name 'Wi-Fi' -Confirm:$false;
[System.Windows.Forms.MessageBox]::Show('Wi-Fi Enabled', 'Network Status');
}
", , RunAs
return

Requirements:
- AutoHotkey installed: https://www.autohotkey.com/

- Run the script as administrator (required to manage network adapters)
- If your adapter name isn’t "Wi-Fi", replace it with the correct name (you can find it by running `Get-NetAdapter` in PowerShell)

[trs3]

Looks like Airplane_Mode_switch.exe should do the job nicely. Thanks!

[offlinedmw]

The thing that upsets me most is that I paid for and downloaded the alleged owners manual for my new notebook I bought. In that instruction manual it specifically pictured the dual-use function keys at the top of the keyboard. This illustration showed that the last key on the right had an airplane icon and was identified as the key to toggle Wi-Fi on and off. This is the same key on my older HP laptop which toggled Wi-Fi on and off. But there was no such  key on my new computer. Why did HP change this and why does the alleged Owner's manual perpetuate the falsehood? 

[trs3]

If you paid for an owners manual. you didn't get it from HP support, so I wouldn't expect it to be accurate or to even apply to your model.

The key arrangement has, in fact, changed for some models compared to earlier ones, but the real owners manuals reflect that.

[offlinedmw]

As you implied, I went to the official HP website to see the "official" user's guide for my computer. I looked at the keyboard layout and it showed no key for toggling Wi-Fi on and off. However, two pages later there was a listing of "Action Keys" showing the logos on the keys and their descriptions. And although the first keys in the series matched those in the earlier layout, the last key had an airplane logo with a description of turning Wi-Fi on and off. At best this owner's guide from the official HP website could be described as confusing, contradictory, and in need of proofreading.