How to Change Your Keyboard Layout

There are many different languages and keyboard layouts from which to choose in Windows. Changing your keyboard layout lets you match it to the keyboard attached to your system or use a different layout to type characters in another language. The Windows keyboard layout is linked to the input language. Windows lets you use more than one input language. This way you may choose which input language to use depending on your current needs.

Things You'll Need

• Windows

Instructions

1. Open the "Start" menu and click the "Control Panel" link. Click the "Clock, Language, and Region" option. Click the "Regional and Language Options" link.

2. Click the "Keyboard and Languages" tab in the window that appears. Click "Change keyboards." Click the "Add" button in the "Installed services" section.

3. Scroll down until you see the language you want to add and double-click it. Double-click the text service and select the keyboard layout to add. Click "OK" when finished.

4. Click the keyboard layout button on your task bar whenever you want to change the keyboard layout. Each input language, represented by the first button, lets you select different keyboard layouts.

Tips & Warnings

• If you get a message that the effect will not take place, then redo the steps to avoid logging out and back in.

• Remember to change your keyboard back to the US version or someone might go crazy trying use your settings.

References

• Microsoft: Add an Input Language