Add or Remove Keyboard Layout in Windows 10

This guide shows you how to add or remove keyboard layouts in Windows 10, which lets you switch between different input languages and keyboard arrangements (like QWERTY vs. AZERTY). You’ll learn how to add a new layout, remove an unwanted one, and switch between them quickly using the language bar or a keyboard shortcut.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with administrator access (though adding a layout usually works for standard users too).
• An internet connection if you want to download additional language packs (optional).

Step-by-Step

1. Open Settings. Click the Start button (Windows logo) and then the gear icon, or press Win + I.
2. Go to Time & Language. In the Settings window, click “Time & Language”.
3. Select Language. On the left sidebar, click “Language”.
4. Add a language (optional). If you want a layout from a language that isn’t listed under “Preferred languages”, click “Add a language”. Search for the language (e.g., “Spanish”), select it, and click “Next”. You can choose to install the language pack and set it as your display language, but for keyboard layout only, you can uncheck those options and click “Install”.
5. Open language options. Under “Preferred languages”, find the language you want to modify (e.g., English (United States)) and click the three-dot menu (⋯) on the right, then select “Language options”.
6. Add a keyboard layout. Under “Keyboards”, you’ll see the currently installed layouts (like “US” for QWERTY). Click “Add a keyboard” and choose the layout you want from the dropdown list (e.g., “US International”, “Dvorak”, or “Canadian French”). It will be added immediately.
7. Remove a keyboard layout. To remove a layout, click the three-dot menu next to the layout you want to delete and select “Remove”. Confirm if prompted.
8. Switch between layouts. After adding multiple layouts, you can switch between them by pressing Win + Spacebar or Alt + Shift. A small popup will show the current layout. You can also click the language abbreviation (e.g., “ENG”) on the taskbar (near the clock) and select the layout you want.
9. Set a default layout (optional). If you want a specific layout to be the default for new apps, go back to the “Language” page, click the three-dot menu next to the language, select “Move up” to make it the primary language. The first layout listed under that language’s options will be the default.

Common Mistakes

• Adding a language instead of a layout. Many users click “Add a language” when they only want a different keyboard layout (like Dvorak) for the same language. You don’t need to add a new language; just go into the existing language’s options and add the layout.
• Removing the only layout. If you remove the only keyboard layout for a language, Windows may revert to a default or cause input issues. Always keep at least one layout per language.
• Confusing language with layout. The taskbar icon shows the language (e.g., “ENG”), not the specific layout. To see which layout is active, hover over the icon or use the “Show input options” in the taskbar settings.
• Forgetting to save changes. Adding or removing a layout takes effect immediately, but if you have unsaved work in an app, switching layouts might not affect the app until you restart it.

Tips

• Use the language bar. If you prefer a floating toolbar, right-click the taskbar and check “Show touch keyboard button” or enable the language bar via Control Panel > Language > Advanced settings > “Use the language bar when available”.
• Keyboard shortcut for switching. You can change the shortcut to switch layouts by going to Control Panel > Language > Advanced settings > “Change language bar hot keys”.
• Preview a layout. When adding a layout, you can’t preview it directly, but you can open Notepad and type to test. The on-screen keyboard (Win + Ctrl + O) shows the current layout visually.
• Use the touch keyboard. If you have a touch screen, you can use the touch keyboard to see the layout and switch between them.

Troubleshooting

• Layout not appearing in the taskbar. If you don’t see the language icon (e.g., “ENG”) on the taskbar, right-click the taskbar, select “Taskbar settings”, scroll to “Notification area” and click “Turn system icons on or off”. Make sure “Input Indicator” is set to “On”.
• Can’t add a layout – grayed out. If the “Add a keyboard” button is grayed out, it might be because the language pack isn’t fully installed. Go back to the language options and click “Download” under “Language pack” (if available). If that doesn’t help, restart Windows.
• Layout keeps reverting. Some apps (especially games) may override your layout. Check the app’s settings for language/input options. Also make sure the correct layout is set as default in Windows.
• Keyboard types wrong characters. You might have accidentally switched to a different layout. Press Win + Spacebar to cycle through layouts and check the popup. If the problem persists, remove the unwanted layout and re-add the correct one.
• No option to remove a layout. If the “Remove” option is missing, the layout might be the default for the language. Add another layout first, then remove the one you don’t want.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I have multiple keyboard layouts for the same language? Yes, you can add as many layouts as you want under a single language. For example, you can have both “US” (QWERTY) and “US International” for English.
2. How do I switch keyboard layouts quickly? Use Win + Spacebar or Alt + Shift. You can also click the language icon on the taskbar and select the layout.
3. Will removing a keyboard layout delete the language? No, removing a layout only removes that specific keyboard arrangement. The language itself (and its language pack, if installed) remains.
4. Why is my keyboard typing in Spanish when I only added English? You might have accidentally added a Spanish layout or language. Check the language list in Settings and remove any unwanted entries.
5. Can I set a different default layout for each app? Windows 10 doesn’t support per-app layouts natively. However, you can use the “Let me set a different input method for each app window” option in Advanced keyboard settings (Control Panel > Language > Advanced settings).
6. Does adding a keyboard layout affect my display language? No, keyboard layouts are independent of the display language. You can have English as your display language but use a French keyboard layout.

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