Windows 11 On-Screen Keyboard: Layouts, Touch, Languages

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

The Windows 11 on-screen keyboard (OSK) can switch between several physical layouts, adapt to touch and mouse input modes, and change input languages independently of the system language. You can control all three through the Settings app, the touch keyboard button on the taskbar, or the language bar, and this article explains exactly where each option lives and what it does.

What the On-Screen Keyboard Actually Is

Windows 11 includes two different on-screen keyboards. The first is the touch keyboard, which appears when you tap a text field on a touchscreen or click the keyboard icon in the system tray. The second is the legacy OSK (osk.exe), a floating window you can open by searching for “On-Screen Keyboard” in Start. The legacy OSK is mainly for people who cannot use a physical keyboard and has fewer layout and language options than the touch keyboard. Most of the layout switching, touch-mode features, and language options described here apply to the touch keyboard, which is the one Windows 11 pushes by default.

How to Open the Touch Keyboard and the Legacy OSK

Touch keyboard: tap any text box on a touchscreen, or right-click the taskbar and select “Show touch keyboard button,” then click the keyboard icon that appears near the clock.
Legacy OSK: press Win + R, type osk, and press Enter. You can also find it in Start under “Windows Accessories” or by searching “on-screen keyboard.”
Both keyboards can be pinned to the taskbar for quicker access, but the touch keyboard button is the one that gives you layout and language menus.

Switching Keyboard Layouts (Physical Arrangement)

The touch keyboard offers several physical layouts that change how keys are arranged on screen. To switch, open the touch keyboard and click the settings (gear) icon in the top-left corner of the keyboard, then choose Keyboard layout. The available layouts include:

Default – the familiar QWERTY layout with a number row.
Split – splits the keyboard into two halves, useful when holding a tablet with both thumbs.
Floating – a compact, movable keyboard that you can drag anywhere on the screen.
Standard – a full-width layout without the number row (on some devices).
Handwriting – a writing pad that converts your scribbles to text.

The legacy OSK does not have these layout options; it only shows a fixed QWERTY layout, though you can enable a numeric keypad from its Options menu.

Touch Mode vs. Mouse/Keyboard Mode

Windows 11 automatically switches the touch keyboard between touch mode and desktop mode based on whether you are using a touchscreen or a physical keyboard and mouse. In touch mode, keys are larger, and the keyboard takes up more screen space. In desktop mode, the keyboard is more compact and can be moved or resized. You can manually force a mode by clicking the keyboard icon in the taskbar and then clicking the settings gear – there you’ll find a toggle for “Show suggestions as I type” and a button to switch between “Default” and “Compact” keyboard sizes. If your device is a 2-in-1, the keyboard will also appear when you detach the screen or flip it into tablet mode, which is a separate setting under System > Tablet.

Adding and Switching Input Languages

Input languages are separate from the Windows display language. They determine which characters appear when you press keys. To add a language:

Open Settings > Time & Language > Language & region.
Click Add a language, search for the language, and select it.
After installation, click the three-dot menu next to the language and choose Language options to add a keyboard layout (e.g., QWERTY vs. AZERTY for French).

Once you have multiple languages, you can switch between them by pressing Win + Space or Alt + Shift, or by clicking the language abbreviation (e.g., “ENG”) in the system tray. On the touch keyboard, the language key (a globe icon) appears next to the spacebar – tap it to cycle through languages. The legacy OSK also respects the selected language and will show the corresponding characters.

Common Problems and Fixes

Keyboard doesn’t appear when tapping a text field: Check that the touch keyboard is enabled in Settings > Devices > Typing > “Show the touch keyboard when there’s no keyboard attached.” Also ensure the device is not in a mode that hides it.
Language key missing: The globe icon only appears when you have more than one input language installed. Add a second language to see it.
Layout options grayed out: Some layouts (like split) only work on touchscreens. If you’re on a desktop without a touchscreen, the split and handwriting options may be unavailable.
OSK is too small or large: The touch keyboard can be resized by dragging its edges in floating mode. The legacy OSK has a fixed size, but you can change the font scaling in Windows display settings.
Keyboard disappears after an update: Restart the device, then re-enable the touch keyboard button from taskbar settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change the on-screen keyboard layout to AZERTY?

AZERTY is a physical layout used for French. To use it, add French as an input language in Settings > Time & Language > Language & region, then in its Language options, select the AZERTY keyboard layout. When you switch to French (via Win + Space or the globe key), the on-screen keyboard will show AZERTY keys.

Can I use the on-screen keyboard with a mouse instead of touch?

Yes. The touch keyboard works with a mouse – just click the keys. The legacy OSK is also fully mouse-operable. You can enable “Hover over keys” in the legacy OSK’s Options if you have difficulty clicking.

Why does my on-screen keyboard show a different language than my system?

The on-screen keyboard follows the input language, not the display language. If you have multiple input languages, the keyboard shows the one currently active. Check the language bar in the system tray and switch to the language you expect.

Is the on-screen keyboard available in Windows 11 Home?

Yes, both the touch keyboard and the legacy OSK are available in all editions of Windows 11, including Home. No additional installation is needed.

How do I make the on-screen keyboard appear automatically when I log in?

For the touch keyboard, go to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options and enable “Use my sign-in info to automatically finish setting up my device.” For the legacy OSK, place a shortcut in the Startup folder (shell:startup) or use Task Scheduler to launch osk.exe at logon.

Does the on-screen keyboard support emoji and special characters?

Yes. The touch keyboard has an emoji key (smiley face) that opens the emoji picker. For special characters, press and hold a key on the touch keyboard to see alternate characters, or use the legacy OSK’s numeric keypad with Alt codes.

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