Make F8 work as F8 on MacBook Pro

Question

I would like to make F8 key on my MacBook Pro to work as an F8 key, not Play/Pause key, without having to press fn key at the same button.

How do I configure Mac OS X (Mavericks) to work that way?

Answer 1

This function can be set up by going to System Preferences → Keyboard → Keyboard and enabling Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys.

Answer 2

You can use FunctionFlip which can 'flip' certain function keys instead of changing all keys.

FunctionFlip individually controls your MacBook or MacBook Pro's function keys, turning special keys back to regular F-keys, or vice-versa.

FunctionFlip's purpose is simply to disable the special features — rewind, play, mute, etc. — on the function keys. For example, if you "flip" F7, F8, and F9, those keys — only those keys — will revert back to normal F keys. Press the fn key with the special key to get the special function back. That is, the "special" and "normal" functions are flipped.

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You can also use KeyRemap4MacBook with a private.xml such as this:

<?xml version="1.0"?>
<root>
  <item>
    <name>F8 as Function</name>
    <identifier>F8asFunction</identifier>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::VK_CONSUMERKEY_MUSIC_PLAY, KeyCode::F8</autogen>
    <autogen>__KeyToKey__ KeyCode::F4, KeyCode::VK_CONSUMERKEY_MUSIC_PLAY</autogen>
  </item>
</root>