You can change your keyboard layout in a few minutes by opening Settings, going to Time & language, choosing Language & region, adding or editing a language, and selecting the keyboard you want. Once added, switch between layouts with the taskbar input icon or the Win + Space shortcut. You can also remove layouts or set a default layout in the same area. Follow the steps below for a clear, step by step guide.
How To Change Keyboard Layout Windows 11
This short set of steps will take you through finding the keyboard settings, adding or removing layouts, and switching between them while typing.
Step 1: Open Settings
Open the Settings app by clicking the Start menu and selecting Settings, or press Win + I.
Settings is where Windows keeps all system options. Using Win + I is the fastest route, but you can also right click the Start button and choose Settings from the menu.
Step 2: Go to Time & language
Click Time & language in the left column of the Settings window.
This section groups language, region, and typing options. It is where you tell Windows which languages and keyboard layouts you use.
Step 3: Select Language & region
Choose Language & region from the Time & language page.
Here you will see your installed languages and options to add more. If you plan to use a different layout for an existing language, you will find that option here too.
Step 4: Add a language if needed
If the language you need is not listed, click Add a language and pick one from the list.
Adding a language installs the basic language support and often includes associated keyboard layouts. If you already have the language, you can skip this and just add a keyboard to it.
Step 5: Open language options
Click the three dots next to a language and choose Language options to manage keyboards.
Language options show the keyboard layouts tied to that language. From here you can add new keyboards, remove ones you do not use, or reorder them.
Step 6: Add a keyboard layout
Under Keyboards click Add a keyboard and select the layout you want from the list.
Windows shows common layouts like US, UK, Colemak, and various international options. Pick the layout, and it will appear under the language so you can switch to it while typing.
Step 7: Switch between keyboard layouts
Use the input indicator in the taskbar or press Win + Space to switch layouts while typing.
You will see an abbreviation like ENG or ESP on the taskbar near the clock. Clicking it lists available keyboards, and Win + Space cycles through them quickly, which is handy when you alternate languages.
Step 8: Remove or reorder layouts
To clean up, go back to Language options, click the keyboard you want to remove, and choose Remove, or use the up and down arrows to reorder.
Removing an unused layout keeps the list tidy and prevents accidental switches. Reordering helps when Windows uses a default layout you prefer to change.
After you add or switch a keyboard layout, your keystrokes will follow the new layout immediately. You may need to practice a bit if keys moved around, like where special characters appear.
If you use shortcuts or hotkeys, they will still work, but characters typed will match the current layout. To remove confusion, test the new layout in Notepad before starting work.
Tips for Changing the Windows 11 Keyboard Layout
- Use Win + Space to swap keyboards fast, it is the quickest way when you are typing between languages.
- Enable the taskbar input indicator for a visual clue about which layout is active, this prevents mistakes.
- If you type in two languages often, add both keyboards to a single language or add two separate languages depending on which layouts you need.
- Consider learning the keyboard map for nonstandard layouts like Dvorak or Colemak, small cheat sheets help at first.
- If a layout is not listed, install the matching language pack, then check the language options again.
- Use the advanced keyboard settings to set a default input method, this helps after reboot when Windows picks one for you.
- Disable unwanted keyboard shortcuts if you accidentally switch layouts while gaming or typing, this reduces interruptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I switch keyboard layouts quickly?
Press Win + Space to cycle through your available keyboard layouts, or click the input indicator on the taskbar and pick the layout from the menu.
This shortcut works system wide and is the fastest option when you are typing in multiple languages.
Can I have different layouts for different apps?
Windows does not set keyboard layouts per app by default, but you can turn on Let me set a different input method for each app window in Advanced keyboard settings.
When enabled, each app window can remember its last used layout, which is useful if you keep separate programs for different languages.
How do I remove a keyboard layout I do not need?
Go to Settings, Time & language, Language & region, click the language, pick Language options, and under Keyboards select the layout then Remove.
This will stop that layout from appearing in your input list and prevent accidental switching.
Why does my keyboard type the wrong characters?
You may be using a different keyboard layout than expected, such as UK instead of US, so characters like quotes and special keys move.
Check the taskbar input indicator or press Win + Space to confirm and switch back to the layout you want.
Where are advanced keyboard settings?
In Settings, go to Time & language, then Typing, and click Advanced keyboard settings to set defaults and control per-app input behavior.
This area lets you choose a default input method and control whether the layout follows the app window.
Summary
- Open Settings
- Go to Time & language
- Pick Language & region
- Add a language if needed
- Open Language options
- Add a keyboard layout
- Switch with taskbar or Win + Space
- Remove or reorder layouts
Conclusion
Changing your keyboard layout in Windows 11 is a small task that makes a big difference when you type in more than one language or try different key arrangements. I showed the clear path: open Settings, head to Time & language, manage languages and keyboards, and use the taskbar or the Win + Space shortcut to switch. Think of layouts like different tool sets. If you switch from a hammer to a wrench, you need to know where each tool sits. The keyboard layout moves the tools, so a little practice will help you regain speed.
If you are a frequent multilingual user, set the input indicator on the taskbar and consider enabling per-app layouts. That keeps your work and messaging in the right language without annoying switches. If you experiment with alternative layouts such as Dvorak or Colemak, give yourself a week or two of practice. Muscle memory builds fast when you use the layout daily.
For power users, use Advanced keyboard settings to lock a default input method or to let each app remember its layout. For casual users, the taskbar icon and Win + Space provide everything you need. If you run into trouble, try removing and re-adding the layout, or check that the correct language pack is installed. If you want to learn more, search for keyboard mapping visuals for the layout you picked, or consult Microsoft’s documentation for updates.
When you are ready, follow the steps above and you will have full control over your typing environment. Remember, learning how to change the keyboard layout in Windows 11 gives you flexibility and saves time in the long run.
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.