How to Change Keyboard Layout on Windows 10: Add, Switch, or Remove Layouts

Windows 10 lets you install more than one keyboard layout for the same PC, then switch between them whenever you need different key mappings or special characters. The quickest path is Settings > Time & Language > Language. From there, you can add a layout to an installed language, switch layouts from the taskbar or with Windows key + Spacebar, and remove layouts you no longer use.

Note: Windows 10 reached the end of standard Microsoft support on October 14, 2025. The steps below still apply to Windows 10 systems, but Microsoft recommends moving to a supported Windows release or using an eligible Extended Security Updates option. See Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support guidance.

How to add a keyboard layout in Windows 10

You do not have to change the Windows display language just to use another keyboard layout. Microsoft treats the display language and keyboard layout as separate settings.

1. Open Start and select Settings.
2. Select Time & Language, then choose Language.

3. Under Preferred languages, select the language that should contain the layout, then select Options.

4. Under Keyboards, select Add a keyboard.

5. Choose the keyboard layout you want from the list. It will appear under Keyboards after it is added.

If the layout you want is not listed under the current language, go back to Settings > Time & Language > Language and check the language that normally contains that layout. If the required language is not installed, Windows may need you to add that language first. Microsoft's current language and keyboard layout documentation explains this behavior in more detail.

How to switch keyboard layouts

After two or more layouts are installed, you can switch without returning to Settings.

Use the taskbar input indicator

Select the input language indicator in the notification area on the right side of the taskbar. It commonly shows a language code such as ENG. Choose the keyboard layout you want from the menu.

Use Windows key + Spacebar

Hold the Windows key and press Spacebar. Each press cycles to another installed layout. If nothing changes, you probably have only one keyboard layout installed.

Changing the keyboard layout changes how physical keys are interpreted; it does not change the Windows display language.

What to do if the input indicator is missing

On Windows 10, the input indicator is normally visible when multiple layouts are available. If it is missing, open Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Under Notification area, select Turn system icons on or off, then turn Input Indicator on.

If the indicator still does not appear, the legacy desktop language bar may be enabled instead. Go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings and clear Use the desktop language bar when it's available if you prefer the taskbar indicator.

How to remove a keyboard layout in Windows 10

1. Open Settings > Time & Language > Language.
2. Under Preferred languages, select the language that contains the keyboard layout and choose Options.
3. Under Keyboards, select the layout you no longer need and choose Remove.

If Remove is unavailable, that layout may be the only keyboard layout associated with the current Windows display language. Add another keyboard layout first, then return and remove the unwanted one. Also check both the current display language and the language that normally owns the layout, because Windows can store a keyboard layout under either location.

Keyboard layout vs. language: the important difference

A keyboard layout controls what characters Windows produces when you press physical keys. The Windows display language controls interface text in places such as Settings and File Explorer. You can therefore keep Windows in English while using another layout, or keep several English layouts and switch between them as needed.

For most users, the simplest setup is to keep only the layouts they actually use. That keeps the Windows key + Spacebar cycle short and reduces accidental switches while typing.