Is there a way to get the enter key to function, well, as an enter key. Like when i am tabbing through menu options and fine the one i want, to hit enter and have it work or to open files, etc?
While in the Menu Bar the Enter key just works fine, while in a Save dialog for example, the Space Bar will select the button that is circled with the blue "ring", the Enter key selects the fully blue button.
The following example lets you use the Space Bar to select Restart, the Enter Key Shuts Down.
In order to do so, you have to enable All Controls in System Preferences > Keyboard.
While in Finder the Enter key is there to rename files.