Touch Keyboard Shortcut - Create in Windows 8

How to Create a "Touch Keyboard" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
You can use different keyboards with Windows to fit your needs. The most common is a physical, external keyboard that you plug into your PC. Windows 8 and Windows RT also include a touch keyboard for PCs with touch. To use the touch keyboard on a touch screen PC, tap in a text field or other area where you can type. The keyboard appears automatically. You could also use the touch keyboard on a non-touch PC, but you would have to use your pointer to click on the keys instead of touching/tapping them.

For more information about the Touch Keyboard in Windows 8, see:

This tutorial will show you how to create or download a Touch Keyboard shortcut that you can pin and use where you like in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note   Note
By default, the on-screen touch keyboard will only appear automatically on a touch PC when you tap in a text field in a modern UI screen or modern app. When you want to type using the on-screen keyboard with Surface, fold back the cover or remove it. Next, tap in a text field or other area where you can type. The keyboard appears automatically.

They don't automatically appear if you’re using a desktop app. Instead, you need to tap or click the Touch keyboard icon on the right side of the taskbar.

touch_keyboard_taskbar_toolbar.jpg

Tip   Tip
Here are a few tips when you're using the touch keyboard:
  • Switch between the touch keyboard and thumb keyboard by tapping the keyboard icon in the lower-right corner of the keyboard.
  • Close the keyboard by tapping outside the text box or by using the keyboard icon.
  • Use keyboard shortcuts by tapping the Ctrl key and then tapping another key.
  • Turn Caps Lock on and off by double-tapping the Up Arrow key.
  • Automatically insert a period by double-tapping the Spacebar.
  • If you're looking for some fun characters, tap the :) Emoticon key.
To make the standard keyboard layout available on the Touch Keyboard:
NOTE: This option is only available if you have a PC or device with a touch screen.

How to Make the Standard Keyboard Layout Available in Windows 8 Touch Keyboard
  • The new, fifth standard keyboard layout has these additional keys available:
    • Windows key
    • Alt key
    • Esc key
    • With Fn key: All F-keys (F1 - F12)

EXAMPLE: "Touch Keyboard" in Windows 8
Touch-Keyboard.jpg





OPTION ONE

To Download a "Touch Keyboard" Shortcut


1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the ZIP file below.​
Touch_Keyboard_Shortcut.zip
download
2. Save the .zip file to the desktop.​
3. Open the .zip file and extract (drag and drop) the Touch Keyboard shortcut to the desktop.​
4. Unblock the Touch Keyboard shortcut.​
5. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.​
6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .zip file on the desktop if you like, or save it to use again.​





OPTION TWO

To Manually Create a "Touch Keyboard" Shortcut


1. Right click or press and hold on a empty area on desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.​
2. Copy and paste the command below into the location area, and click/tap on the Next button. (see screenshot below)​
"%ProgramFiles%\Common Files\microsoft shared\ink\TabTip.exe"
Shortcut-1.jpg
3. Type Touch Keyboard for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)​
NOTE: You can name this shortcut anything you would like though.
Shortcut-2.jpg
4. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.​

That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Touch_Keyboard_Shortcut.zip
    981 bytes · Views: 4,308
  • Touch_Keyboard.png
    Touch_Keyboard.png
    203 bytes · Views: 318
Last edited:
Cool Tried it now.... though already on my system (i.e not downloaded)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
    System Manufacturer/Model
    COMPAQ
    CPU
    intel Pentium
    Memory
    4GIG
Hello Davito,

Yep, this is just a shortcut that lets you open the TabTip.exe file (that's already on your system by default) for the Touch Keyboard from anywhere you like. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Wasn't there was a shortcut on the taskbar?
tabtip.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
Hello MrShowdown,

Yep, there's "Touch Keyboard" option available in the taskbar toolbars by default, but the shortcut in the tutorial is for those that would like to have a "Touch Keyboard" shortcut wherever they like as well. Ex: Start screen :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Well that explained it.
BTW Thanks for the info and Great Tutorial, Brink!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Lenovo Y520
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 7300HQ
    Motherboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Memory
    4GB DDR4-2400
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 (2)
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Seagate 1TB 5400 RPM
    Keyboard
    OEM Lenovo
    Mouse
    Logitech G502 Proteus Core
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Browser
    Google Chrome
    Other Info
    PC:

    AMD Athlon X4 760K
    8GB DDR3-1866
    AMD Radeon RX 460
    Seagate 500 GB 7200 RPM
You're welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
But in this keyboard layout there are missing some keys; e.g.:
  • Windows key
  • Alt key
  • Esc key
  • All F-keys (F1 - F12)
  • PgUp, PgDown, Home, End, PrtScn, ScrLk
Although you get with the layout switch (bottom right corner on touch keyboard) four different layouts - but no one has the missing keys.

Here you can add a fifth keyboard layout:
Windows key + C -> Settings -> Change PC settings -> General -> Touch Keyboard -> Make the standard keyboard layout available

Then you have at least these keys available:
  • Windows key
  • Alt key
  • Esc key
  • With Fn key: All F-keys (F1 - F12)
If you start this keyboard: %windir%\system32\osk.exe then you also have:
  • PgUp, PgDown, Home, End, PrtScn, ScrLk
This keyboard even works as overlay within Metro.
(Never thought that it is possible to show an other window "over" Windows Metro.)
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hello maalhena, and welcome to Eight Forums.

If you mean the shortcut from this tutorial, then you could just delete it.

If you mean the Touch Keyboard toolbar on the taskbar, then you can right click or press and hold on the taskbar, click/tap on Toolbars, and click/tap Touch Keyboard to uncheck and remove it.

If you like, you could also disable the Touch Keyboard by disabling the Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service. This won't remove Touch Keyboard, but it will prevent it from running.

Hope this helps, :)
Shawn
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
But in this keyboard layout there are missing some keys; e.g.:
  • Windows key
  • Alt key
  • Esc key
  • All F-keys (F1 - F12)
  • PgUp, PgDown, Home, End, PrtScn, ScrLk
Although you get with the layout switch (bottom right corner on touch keyboard) four different layouts - but no one has the missing keys.

Here you can add a fifth keyboard layout:
Windows key + C -> Settings -> Change PC settings -> General -> Touch Keyboard -> Make the standard keyboard layout available

Then you have at least these keys available:
  • Windows key
  • Alt key
  • Esc key
  • With Fn key: All F-keys (F1 - F12)
If you start this keyboard: %windir%\system32\osk.exe then you also have:
  • PgUp, PgDown, Home, End, PrtScn, ScrLk
This keyboard even works as overlay within Metro.
(Never thought that it is possible to show an other window "over" Windows Metro.)

This is great. It's almost exactly what I want. The only problem is that when I put this shortcut on my start screen and click it, it opens the osk in the desktop and then I have to hit the windows button to come back into the start screen. I'd like it to launch the osk as an overlay on the start screen as soon as it launches. I'm using a Toshiba convertible and want to search from the start screen by typing without having to open up the physical keyboard. Any further suggestions would be appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Thanks for the awesome shortcut Brink! Needed it for invoking the touch keyboard via a physical keyboard command. Now using it on my Surface Pro (with Chrome) for those moments I just need to insert an emoji in my comments while the keyboard is unfolded, like this
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Ultimate (Old Laptop) + Windows 8 Pro with Media Center (Surface Pro)
You're most welcome MrElectrifyer, and welcome to Eight Forums. I'm glad it was able to help. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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