On some laptops the function keys are dual purpose. Without pressing the FN key as well, you get a system based result (volume, screen or key backlight brightness, etc.). You use the function key (FN on my laptop) with the F1, F2, etc. key to get what the old function key setup provided. However, that does not explain why your zoom box opened blank when using one version of Windows over another.
The more we hear silence, the more we begin to think about our value in this universe.
Paraphrase of Professor Brian Cox.