Magic Keyboard media & function keys on Windows
Pair an Apple Magic Keyboard with a Windows PC and the letter keys work with no setup. The top row of brightness, volume, and media keys usually does not. This guide covers why, and how to get the function row working.
Why the function row doesn't work
The Magic Keyboard's top row sends Apple-specific codes for brightness, volume, and media control. Windows has no driver that reads them, so out of the box the keys either do nothing or only register as plain F1–F12. Restoring the media functions takes a keyboard driver.
Get media and brightness keys back
Apple's Boot Camp keyboard driver restores most of the function row for free, but Apple doesn't ship it on its own; you have to pull it out of the Boot Camp package. Third-party utilities install a driver for you and are typically paid. Tenon is in development; it will restore the full function row (brightness, volume, media playback, and the F-keys) and let you choose which set is the default.
F-keys vs media keys
Once a driver is in place you can set what the top row does by default. Send media functions and hold Fn for F1–F12, or the reverse so the F-keys come first. Either works; it depends on how often you reach for the F-keys.
Frequently asked
Do the Magic Keyboard media keys work on Windows?
Not by default. Windows has no driver for the Magic Keyboard function row, so the brightness, volume, and media keys do nothing until you install one. The Apple Boot Camp driver or a third-party utility restores them today; Tenon, still in development, will do the same.
How do I use F1 to F12 on a Magic Keyboard on Windows?
With a keyboard driver installed, hold the Fn key to send F1 to F12, or flip the default so the F-keys come first and the media functions need Fn. Without a driver the row often does nothing.