The Windows 11 touch keyboard is a versatile tool that can greatly enhance your experience when using a tablet, touch-screen laptop, or even a desktop PC. This virtual keyboard provides a convenient way to input text when a physical keyboard is not available or practical to use. Whether your physical keyboard is malfunctioning, or you’re using a device in a non-traditional setup, knowing how to access and customize the Windows 11 touch keyboard can be a game-changer.
Despite its usefulness, the touch keyboard in Windows 11 isn’t always easily accessible by default. While it typically appears automatically on touch-enabled devices, there are situations where it might not, especially when using hybrid or non-touch devices. In these cases, manually enabling and customizing the touch keyboard ensures that you have a reliable input method whenever needed.
What’s the difference between the Windows 11 touch keyboard and the on-screen keyboard?
Though they’re often referred to by the same name, the Windows 11 touch keyboard and the on-screen keyboard are two different things. The on-screen keyboard is a re-skinned legacy keyboard with fewer features, worse performance, and an uglier UI. The touch keyboard is a more modern implementation.
As there’s no real reason to use the Windows 11 on-screen keyboard over the touchscreen keyboard unless it’s for accessibility reasons. The on-screen keyboard lets you input text by scanning or hovering over keys, which makes it a good choice for those who struggle with traditional keyboards.
How to Open the Windows 11 Touch Keyboard
For the most part, the virtual keyboard in Windows 11 will open automatically when you need it. If you tap on any text box with your tablet, it should automatically appear. However, if you’re looking to access the Windows 11 touch keyboard on a non-touch keyboard, or just open it in a non-typical situation, you can do so quickly by following the steps below:
- Open Taskbar settings
Right-click on your taskbar and select “Taskbar settings” from the context menu.
- Expand Taskbar corner icons
Tap on “Taskbar corner icons” to expand the section. This area contains options for additional icons that can be shown on your taskbar.
- Enable the Windows 11 Touch Keyboard
Find the toggle labeled “Touch keyboard” and switch it to “On“. This will add the touch keyboard icon to the corner of your taskbar.
- Open the Touch Keyboard
Pressing the icon once will bring it up the touch keyboard. Tapping it a second time it will turn off the touch keyboard so it no longer gets in your way.
- Type to your heart’s content
You can now touch or click on the keys to type instead of using a physical keyboard.
How to Change Touchscreen Keyboard Size and Theme
After enabling the touch keyboard, you may find the default size or appearance doesn’t suit your needs. This section explains how to adjust the size and theme to make it more visually appealing and comfortable to use.
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Access Settings
Press the Start button and click the settings icon. Alternatively, press “Start + I” on your keyboard to open the Settings menu directly.
- Navigate to Personalization
Select “Personalization” from the sidebar, then choose “Touch keyboard” from the main pane. This will bring up options specifically for customizing the touch keyboard.
- Adjust the Keyboard Size
Drag the “Keyboard size” slider to adjust the size of the keyboard. Move the slider left to make the keyboard smaller, or right to make it larger.
- Choose a Keyboard Theme
Expand the “Keyboard theme” section and select a theme that you like. Windows 11 ships with quite a few options, including dark, light, poppy red, platinum, and various gradients and backgrounds.
- Customize Text Size and Background
Change key text size and toggle the key background on or off as needed. Adjusting these settings can improve readability and usability according to your preferences.
How to Change the Virtual Keyboard Layout in Windows 11
Windows 11 offers multiple keyboard layouts to accommodate different user preferences and use cases. This section will guide you on how to switch between these layouts to find the one that best fits your needs.
- Open the Touch Keyboard
Click the touch keyboard icon on your taskbar. If you don’t see the icon, follow the steps from the first method to enable it.
- Access Keyboard Layout Settings
Click the settings cog in the top-left corner of the touch keyboard. A context menu will appear, providing options to change the keyboard layout.
The default keyboard has most of your normal keys but compacts them, removing the up and down arrow keys and hiding some symbols behind the shift key.
The small keyboard is more akin to what you’d see on a smartphone. It takes up much less screen space and only a very basic set of symbols.
The traditional keyboard option should be closest to what you have on your desk or laptop – minus the number keys.
How to Create Custom Touch Keyboard Themes
If you want even more control over the look of the touch keyboard, Windows 11 allows the creation of custom themes. This section will show you how to design your own keyboard theme, adjusting colors and backgrounds to match your style.
- Open Settings
Press the Start button and click the settings icon on your pinned apps. Alternatively, press “Windows + I”.
- Access the Windows 11 Touch Keyboard Settings
Navigate to “Personalization” in the settings, then select “Touch keyboard“. Here, you’ll find all customization options for the touch keyboard.
- Edit the Custom Theme
Expand the “Keyboard theme” section and click “Edit” under the “Custom theme” option. This will open the custom theme editor where you can tweak various visual elements.
- Customize the Colors
Change the colors of the text, keys, and keyboard window using the available options. You can select from preset colors or create your own by choosing a custom color.
- Tick the “Custom theme” radial button when you’re done to see the changes to your keyboard
- Press the heart icon in the top-left to insert media
- See how your emojis and gifs look with your new theme
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions About the Windows 11 Touch Keyboard
How do I disable the touch keyboard from popping up automatically?
To disable the automatic appearance of the touch keyboard, go to Settings by pressing Windows + I, then navigate to Devices > Typing. Scroll down to find the option ‘Show the touch keyboard when not in tablet mode and there’s no keyboard attached’ and toggle it off. This prevents the touch keyboard from appearing unless you manually open it.
Can I use the Windows 11 touch keyboard on a non-touch screen desktop?
Absolutely. Even if your desktop does not support touch input, you can still enable the touch keyboard for use with a mouse. Right-click on the taskbar, select ‘Taskbar settings’, then toggle the switch for ‘Touch keyboard’ under the ‘Taskbar corner icons’ to ‘On’. This will place an icon on your taskbar that you can click to open the touch keyboard.
Is it possible to use keyboard shortcuts on the Windows 11 touch keyboard?
Yes, the Windows 11 touch keyboard supports keyboard shortcuts. While using the touch keyboard, you can perform common shortcuts such as Ctrl+C to copy and Ctrl+V to paste. This functionality makes it easier to perform quick actions without needing a physical keyboard.
Can I change the sound feedback settings of the touch keyboard?
Yes, you can adjust the sound feedback for key presses on the touch keyboard. To do this, open Settings > Devices > Typing and toggle ‘Play key sounds as I type’. This setting enhances auditory feedback as you type, which can be helpful in noisy environments or for accessibility purposes.
Is the Windows 11 touch keyboard customizable for different languages?
The touch keyboard in Windows 11 supports numerous languages. To add or change languages, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, and add a language under ‘Preferred languages’. Once added, the touch keyboard will automatically include options for the new language, allowing you to switch effortlessly while typing.
What should I do if the touch keyboard is not appearing when I select a text field?
If the touch keyboard doesn’t appear automatically, make sure it’s enabled in the taskbar settings as explained in the tutorial. If it is already enabled and still not appearing, check whether there are any pending updates for your system or reinstall the touch input drivers via Device Manager. If the issue continues, use Windows Troubleshoot to find and fix touch keyboard issues.
Can the touch keyboard be resized dynamically while typing?
The size of the touch keyboard can be adjusted before you start typing by accessing Settings > Personalization > Touch keyboard and using the ‘Keyboard size’ slider. While the keyboard does not dynamically resize during typing, you can adjust size settings beforehand to ensure the keyboard suits your screen and typing preferences.
Is it possible to add a numeric keypad to the touch keyboard?
Yes, the touch keyboard includes options for different layouts, one of which features a numeric keypad. To enable this, open the touch keyboard, click the settings gear icon, and choose the keyboard layout that includes the numeric keypad. This is particularly useful for data entry and numerical operations.
Can I use the touch keyboard with accessibility features like Sticky Keys or Filter Keys?
The touch keyboard is fully compatible with Windows accessibility settings, including Sticky Keys and Filter Keys. These features can be enabled by navigating to Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard. Enabling these settings helps individuals with physical disabilities to type more effectively using the touch keyboard.
What is the difference in performance between the touch keyboard and the on-screen keyboard in Windows 11?
The touch keyboard in Windows 11 is designed with a more modern interface and optimized for smooth performance, whereas the on-screen keyboard is a legacy feature with fewer features and a basic interface. The touch keyboard provides an enhanced user experience with more customization options and faster response times.
How to revert back to default settings after customizing the touch keyboard?
If you need to revert your customizations and return to the default settings of the touch keyboard, navigate to Settings > Personalization > Touch keyboard and look for an option to reset all customizations. This will immediately revert your keyboard to its original settings.
How often does Microsoft update the touch keyboard’s features and design?
Microsoft periodically updates the touch keyboard features and design as part of Windows 11 system updates. These updates may include improvements to functionality, additional features, or aesthetic changes. It’s recommended to keep your system up to date to benefit from these enhancements.
Can the touch keyboard be used in conjunction with external keyboards?
Yes, the touch keyboard can be used simultaneously with external keyboards. This can be especially useful if specific symbols or inputs are easier on one keyboard than the other, allowing for a more flexible typing experience across different devices and contexts.
Can I customize the opacity of the touch keyboard’s background?
Current settings in Windows 11 do not support adjusting the opacity of the touch keyboard’s background directly. However, you can customize background colors and themes to suit your visual preference which might indirectly affect the overall transparency perception.
How can I report an issue or suggest an improvement for the Windows 11 touch keyboard?
To report issues or suggest improvements for the touch keyboard, you can use the Feedback Hub app available in Windows 11. This app allows users to provide direct feedback to Microsoft, helping improve the functionality and user experience of Windows features including the touch keyboard.
Related: How to Lock or Unlock Your Keyboard
If the reason for you using a virtual keyboard is that your current one isn’t working, it may be worth considering whether it’s locked. This is particularly true if you’re using a laptop, where there’s often a dedicated lock button. For more information, you can read our full how to lock or unlock a keyboard guide.
Related: How to Remap Keys on Windows 11
If the touchscreen keyboard layout options still don’t work for you, can remap your keys to whatever you like. Our how to remap keys on Windows 11 guide will show you exactly how. These changes will apply to both physical and touch keyboards.
Last Updated on November 7, 2024 3:13 pm CET
