Windows 7 - How to possibly remove Media Center? And re-assigning of FN keys.

So, I don't know how appreciative you guys on this board would be when I say I would like to remove Media Center from my system (LOL). I don't use it for anything, so I'd like to know if there's anyway to get it off of my system at all.

And while I'm making this thread, I was curious to know if there's anyway to re-assign those function keys--shown in the attached photo--to another media program, such as Zune perhaps? I ask since, by default, these keys are assigned to Media Center.

Thanks, and sorry if the function key question doesn't belong on this board.

To remove media center, go to control panel, programs and features, click the "turn windows features on or off" link, then remove media centre in there.

As for the FN key assignment, you can try typing "set your default programs" into the start menu and selecting zune then make it default player for all it can. If that doesnt work, there may be a utility for your keyboard that can re-assign it. I had a keyboard a long time ago with one.

Hey Sub Styler,

I successfully removed MC thanks to you, however I'm wondering where I can get such a utility for my keyboard? I mean, are there any that work with generic laptop keyboards?

Thanks,
Bro

You might try SharpKeys 2.1.1 to remap those function keys.

Hey Strollin,

Thanks for that registry hack, although I don't see a way to re-map the keys to a program. I've restarted and checked several times to see if the keys have now mapped to Zune, since I've removed both MC and WMP. Unfortunately, now the FN keys for media do nothing. Can SharpKeys help me out with this?

Thanks,
Bro

Those keys are your arrow keys. Have you checked to see if they work pressing the FN key first?

If not, you can map the keys to the Zune functions but I would use an additional key like CTL, ALT, SHIFT, etc so you can retain the arrow funtions.

Here's Zune's short cut keys. Use SharpKeys to map your keys to Zune's functions. (Map to the characters in the right column.)

Hey Carwiz,

Of course I tried FN keys first. With MC and WMP removed, they don't do jack now. I tried using SharpKeys to re-map those shortcuts that your attached screenshot showed, but it seems SharpKeys doesn't play nice with remapping one key to a two key shortcut. So, it wouldn't let me, say, remap the down arrow key (for play/pause) to the CTRL+P shortcut. Am I missing something here, or is this as far as SharpKeys' functionality goes? If so, anything else I can do? Thanks for bearing with me on this, lol.

Thanks,
Bro

That's about the extent of my knowledge. Hopefully, one of the other guys will jump back in with help on SharpKeys.

I use an IR remote.

Well, I greatly appreciate the assistance you provided. Especially with providing the shortcuts for Zune.

Perhaps this will work? I haven't tried it myself yet but I will later. My media key launches resource hacker ..... ooops.

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