How to Change Keyboard Layout With a Keyboard Shortcut in Windows 10

The fastest way to change the keyboard layout in Windows 10 is to hold the Windows logo key and press Spacebar. Keep holding the Windows key and tap Spacebar again to cycle through the keyboard layouts and input languages installed on the PC. To move backward through the list, use Windows + Shift + Spacebar.

Microsoft documents these shortcuts for Windows, and its keyboard-layout support page notes that if Windows + Spacebar does nothing, only one keyboard layout may be installed. Changing the keyboard layout affects how keys are interpreted; it does not change the Windows display language. See Microsoft's keyboard and input-layout guidance and Windows keyboard-shortcut reference.

Switch keyboard layouts with Windows + Spacebar

1. Hold the Windows logo key. A list of available input languages and keyboard layouts appears when more than one is installed.
2. Press Spacebar until the layout you want is highlighted, then release the Windows key.

You can also click the input-language indicator in the taskbar, such as ENG or another language code, and choose a layout with the mouse. The keyboard shortcut is usually quicker when you switch frequently between languages or layouts such as US QWERTY and French AZERTY.

Add another keyboard layout if the shortcut does nothing

Windows + Spacebar needs at least two available layouts. On Windows 10, open Settings > Time & Language > Language. Under Preferred languages, select the language you want and choose Options. Under Keyboards, choose Add a keyboard, then select the required layout. Menu wording can vary slightly between Windows 10 builds, so searching Start for Language settings is a useful fallback.

You do not always need to change the Windows display language just to add a different keyboard layout. Microsoft specifically treats display language and keyboard layout as separate settings.

Change or disable the older input-language shortcut

Windows 10 also includes a legacy dialog for older shortcuts such as Left Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift. These are separate from Windows + Spacebar and may be enabled, disabled, or unavailable depending on the PC's current configuration.

1. Open Advanced keyboard settings

Open Start and search for Advanced keyboard settings. On many Windows 10 22H2 systems, you can also reach it through the Typing settings page.

2. Open Input language hot keys

In Advanced keyboard settings, select Input language hot keys. This opens the classic Text Services and Input Languages dialog.

3. Choose the shortcut action

Open the Advanced Key Settings tab. Select Between input languages to change the shortcut used for general input-language switching. Some configurations may also show individual language actions beneath it.

4. Change the key sequence

Select Change Key Sequence. Choose one of the combinations Windows offers, or select Not Assigned if Ctrl + Shift or Left Alt + Shift is being triggered accidentally. The choices in this legacy dialog are limited; Windows + Spacebar remains the simplest built-in shortcut for cycling through layouts.

What to check if the wrong characters appear

• Look at the taskbar language indicator. A different active layout can make familiar keys produce unexpected characters.
• Remove layouts you never use. Fewer installed layouts make Windows + Spacebar faster and reduce accidental switching.
• Check the sign-in screen. Microsoft notes that the active keyboard layout can differ there, which matters when entering a password. Use the input-language icon on the sign-in screen if necessary.
• Disable conflicting legacy shortcuts. If Ctrl + Shift or Left Alt + Shift changes layouts while you are using another app, set that sequence to Not Assigned in Advanced Key Settings.

A note about Windows 10 support

Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Existing Windows 10 PCs can continue to run, but Microsoft no longer provides normal free security updates or technical support for the operating system. Microsoft recommends moving to Windows 11 on compatible hardware or using an applicable Extended Security Updates option when more time is needed. See Microsoft's Windows 10 end-of-support guidance.

For everyday layout switching on a Windows 10 PC, the key point is simple: Windows + Spacebar cycles forward through installed keyboard layouts, while Windows + Shift + Spacebar cycles backward.