The fastest way to switch keyboard layouts

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Go to Time & Language on the left sidebar, then select Language & Region. Under the language you use, click the three dots next to it and choose Language Options. Scroll down to Keyboards, click Add a Keyboard, and pick the layout you want — QWERTY, DVORAK, Colemak, or any other Windows supports. Once added, you can switch between layouts using Windows key + Space or by clicking the language indicator in your system tray.

If you only need to change your current layout without adding a second one, you can do this in the same Language Options menu. Under Keyboards, remove the layout you have and add the one you want instead. This replaces it entirely rather than letting you toggle between them.

Key Takeaways

  • The quickest route is Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Language Options > Keyboards > Add a Keyboard.
  • Windows key + Space switches between layouts once you have added a second one; you can also click the language indicator in the system tray.
  • You can remove a layout entirely or keep multiple layouts and toggle between them depending on what you need.
  • The layout change takes effect when ready — no restart required.
  • If you use the same layout across all your accounts, you only need to add it once; Windows remembers it for that user.

Adding a second keyboard layout without removing the first

Most people want to keep their original layout and add a new one to switch between them. Open Settings, navigate to Time & Language > Language & Region, and click the three dots next to your language. Select Language Options. Under Keyboards, you will see your current layout listed. Click Add a Keyboard and choose the layout you want to add — the list shows all layouts Windows 11 supports for your language.

Once both layouts are added, Windows displays a language indicator in your system tray (bottom right of the taskbar). Click it to see both layouts and select which one you want active. The keyboard will switch to that layout when ready. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Space to cycle through your layouts without opening the menu.

Removing a keyboard layout you no longer use

If you added a layout and want to remove it, go back to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Language Options > Keyboards. Find the layout you want to delete, click it, and select Remove. Windows will no longer show that layout in your switcher. You must keep at least one layout active — Windows will not let you remove your last keyboard layout.

Removing a layout does not affect your typing. If you were using that layout when you removed it, Windows automatically switches to your remaining layout.

Changing your default keyboard layout

If you have multiple layouts added and want one to be the default when you start your computer or log in, Windows uses the first layout in your list as the default. To change which one is default, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region > Language Options > Keyboards. Click and drag the layout you want to be default to the top of the list. The layout at the top will be active when you log in.

This setting is per user account. If multiple people use your computer, each account can have its own default layout and its own set of layouts to switch between.

Using the language indicator in the system tray

The language indicator appears in your system tray (bottom right corner) once you add a second keyboard layout. It shows the abbreviation of your current layout — ENG for English, FRA for French, and so on. Click it to open a menu showing all your layouts. Select the one you want, and it becomes active when ready.

If you do not see the language indicator, it may be hidden. Right-click your taskbar, select Taskbar Settings, scroll down to System Tray Icons, and toggle on the language indicator if it is off. You can also pin it to stay visible at all times by clicking and dragging it.

Keyboard shortcuts for switching layouts

Windows key + Space is the built-in shortcut to cycle through your layouts. Each time you press it, the keyboard switches to the next layout in your list. This is faster than clicking the language indicator if you switch often.

You can also change this shortcut if you prefer a different key combination. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Keyboard, scroll down to Keyboard Shortcuts, and click Input Language Hotkey. Select the shortcut you want — options include Alt + Shift, Ctrl + Shift, and others. Once you set it, that combination will switch your layout instead of Windows key + Space.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart Windows after changing my keyboard layout?

No. Keyboard layout changes take effect when ready. You can switch layouts and start typing in the new layout right away without restarting your computer or logging out.

Can I use different keyboard layouts in different programs?

Windows does not automatically switch layouts between programs. The layout you select stays active across all programs until you manually switch it. Some third-party tools can automate this, but Windows 11 itself does not have a built-in feature for per-program layouts.

What if I cannot find the layout I want in the Add a Keyboard menu?

The layouts available depend on your language setting. If you need a layout that is not showing, check that you have the correct language selected in Language & Region. If you need a layout for a different language entirely, add that language first, then add the layout under that language's options.

Will changing my keyboard layout affect my password?

Your password is stored as characters, not as physical keys. If you change your layout after setting a password, you will need to type your password using the new layout's key positions. For example, if you switch from QWERTY to DVORAK, the keys you press will produce different characters. Make sure you know where your password characters are on the new layout before you log out.

Can I set a different default layout for each user account?

Yes. Each user account on Windows 11 has its own keyboard layout settings. When you log in to a different account, it uses that account's default layout and list of available layouts. You can customize layouts separately for each person who uses the computer.