"New" function key layout - Inspiron 17

I've recently bought a Dell Inspiron 17 laptop and discovered that the function keys now do things a bit differently than I'm used to.

For example, I press F2 in Excel to edit the contents of a cell, and instead it turns off my wireless connection. If I press alt-F4 to close a window, it lowers the brightness of my screen. Etc.

The only way I can see to get the "normal" function key functionality is to add fn to everything. However, learning to press Fn-Alt-F4 to close a screen when none of my other computers use that combination seems pretty silly.

Is there a way to have my function keys work like they do on every other computer I've ever used?

 

2 ways - you can set the way it starts up in the system setup at startup (press F2 or F12, I forget which). You can also toggle between the two modes in Windows Mobility Center in Control Panel.

 

Mobility center worked. Thank you so much!

 

The option in the bios you would want to change is relates to F-lock. Windows Mobility might work in windows and your account only, in other OS's you'll still need to press F-whatever. Disable F-lock by default and make sure to turn off emulation, usually Scroll-lock to function as a F-n toggle.