press F1 key to open a new form

private void Form1_Load(object sender, EventArgs e)
{
    this.KeyPreview = true;
    this.KeyDown += new KeyEventHandler(Form1_KeyDown);
}

void Form1_KeyDown(object sender, KeyEventArgs e)
{
    if (e.KeyCode.ToString() == "F1")
    {
        // the user pressed the F1 key
    }
}