Two keys I don't understaqnd (Windows 7)

There are two keys on the bottom row of my keyboard (Windows 7) that I have no idea what they are for. I tried Google, but couldn't get anything useful. The keys are marked as follows:

1. rectangle enclosing Fn
2. something that looks like a list icon with an arrow

I also have a Windows Xp computer which has 2., but not 1.

 

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The second sounds like an Application or Menu key, that has the same effect as clicking a right mouse button (opens context menu).

As to the first, I'm not sure what the rectangle around what would otherwise be a Function or modifier key means, if it happened to be something other than an ornamental variation. Normally used in conjunction with other keys to change settings quickly and add extra properties to the F1 to F12 keys (what combinations work and their purposes may depend on the computer manufacturer).

 

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have you got a laptop by any chance? because that's where the Fn key comes from (maybe some desktops have started using it too). Fn turns the F keys into system keys, for instance they turn up and down the volume, they change the brightness, they access turn off and on the wireless and Bluetooth (at a hardware level), they put the machine to sleep ect

CC explained the other

 

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confirmed

i was messing around just now and discovered f5 in notepad slaps a timestamp

 

Both of my computers are desktops. My guess is that the usages would depend on the operating system (Windows Xp and Windows 7).

Key 2. opens menus as CC suggests. Which ones seem to vary.
I tried some experiments with the Fn key. So far all I discovered is Fn + F1 puts the monitor to sleep.

 

It depends on your keyboard and its driver software. It's pretty OS independent.

 

Those are your "any" keys.