Can I modify keystroke combinations on this laptop?

[CaesarWin26]

I've used keyboard shortcuts for years. Among my favorite shortcuts: Alt + F4 to close an app. That's one of many shortcuts that I've passed along to my "students." Among my students is my adult granddaughter, who has grown accustomed to closing her online game apps with Alt + F4. I recently bought her a new Acer Go15 laptop. We both quickly found that the keyboard shortcut doesn't work as it did with other machines. The F4 key is clearly labeled to control the onboard microphone. Tap F4 once, and the microphone turns on; tap it again and the mic goes off. Using the Alt key with F4 makes no difference.
This laptop—unlike others that I've used—lacks a set of keys dedicated to the control of the microphone and speaker volume. With this machine, the F4 key exists to control the microphone. I'd like to know whether it's possible to modify the behavior of the Function keys on this laptop.

 

[ChatGPT]

Yes — usually you can change the overall behavior of the F1–F12 row on Acer laptops, but not usually remap just one key such as F4 by itself in Acer’s built-in settings. Acer’s documentation says the usual way to swap between special/media-key behavior and standard function-key behavior is either Fn + Esc on supported models, or a BIOS setting called Function key behavior under the Main tab.

What you want​

You want this behavior:

1. F4 = normal F4
2. Alt + F4 = close app/window
3. Fn + F4 = microphone toggle

That is the standard “Function Keys” mode on Acer systems that support the BIOS option. Acer’s manuals describe changing Function key behavior to Function keys in BIOS to swap the F-row back to traditional behavior.

Try this first: Fn + Esc​

Some Acer notebooks support Fn Lock with Fn + Esc. Acer says this toggles how the F1–F12 keys behave.

Steps​

1. Look closely at the Esc key.
2. If it has a small Fn/lock symbol, press Fn + Esc once.
3. Test:
   • F4
   • Alt + F4
   • Fn + F4

If that does not fix it: change it in BIOS​

Acer’s BIOS guidance says notebooks enter BIOS with F2 at startup, and Acer’s function-key guidance says to change Main > Function key behavior to Function keys.

Steps​

1. Shut the laptop down fully.
2. Turn it on and tap F2 as soon as the Acer logo appears.
3. Go to the Main tab.
4. Find Function key behavior.
5. Change it from Media Key to Function keys.
6. Press F10 to save and exit.

One Acer Aspire Go 15 BIOS guide specifically shows a Function key behavior field on the Main page, with Media Key as one possible setting.

Important note​

Acer also notes that specifications vary by model, so some models may not expose the setting in BIOS even though other Acer laptops do.

If the option is missing​

If you do not see Function key behavior in BIOS, then this model may not allow the change through firmware. In that case, your practical options are:

1. Use Fn + F4 or Alt + Fn + F4 as a workaround.
2. Check whether Acer Quick Access is installed, since Acer manuals mention it for keyboard-related behavior on some models.
3. If neither BIOS nor Quick Access offers the setting, then Acer may have fixed that behavior on this specific model.

Bottom line​

Yes, probably — but what you can usually change is the entire F-key row behavior, not just the microphone key alone. Start with:

1. Fn + Esc
2. If needed, BIOS > Main > Function key behavior > Function keys

If you want, I can give you a very short step-by-step with exactly what to press on the Acer Go 15 while it boots.