Touch Keyboard - Add Standard Keyboard Layout in Windows 8

How to Make Standard Keyboard Layout Available in Touch Keyboard 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.

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


This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off to make the standard keyboard layout available for the Touch Keyboard when you have a Windows 8 or RT PC or device with a touch screen.

Turning on the standard keyboard layout adds it as a 5th keyboard option for the Touch Keyboard that has all standard keys available, such as:

  • Windows :winkey: key
  • Alt key
  • Esc key
  • Fn key
  • All F-keys (F1 - F12)

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.

Touck_Keyboard_taskbar_toolbar.jpg


EXAMPLE: "Touch Keyboard" with Standard Keyboard Layout
Touch-Keyboard_Standard_Layout.jpg







OPTION ONE

Add Standard Layout in Touch Keyboard in Windows 8 and Windows RT


1. Open PC Settings.​
2. Click/tap on General on the left side, and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​
3. To Add Standard Keyboard Layout as a Touch Keyboard Option
A) On the right side under Touch keyboard, move the slider to the right to turn on Make the standard keyboard layout available, and go to step 5 below.​

4. To Remove Standard Keyboard Layout as a Touch Keyboard Option
A) On the right side under Touch keyboard, move the slider to the left to turn off Make the standard keyboard layout available, and go to step 5 below.​

5. When finished, you can close PC settings if you like.​
Touch-Keyboard_Standard_Layout-1.jpg






OPTION TWO

Add Standard Layout in Touch Keyboard in Windows 8.1 and RT 8.1


1. Open PC Settings, and click/tap on PC and devices on the left side. (see screenshot below)​
8.1_Touch_Keyboard_Standard_Layout-1.jpg

2. Click/tap on Typing on the left side, and do step 3 or 4 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)​
3. To Add Standard Keyboard Layout as a Touch Keyboard Option
A) On the right side under Touch keyboard, move the slider to the right to turn on Add the standard keyboard layout as a touch keyboard option, and go to step 5 below.​

4. To Remove Standard Keyboard Layout as a Touch Keyboard Option
A) On the right side under Touch keyboard, move the slider to the left to turn off Add the standard keyboard layout as a touch keyboard option, and go to step 5 below.​

5. When finished, you can close PC settings if you like.​
8.1_Touch_Keyboard_Standard_Layout-2.jpg




OPTION THREE

To Add or Remove Standard Layout in Touch Keyboard using a BAT File



Note   Note
This option can be used in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.


The .bat files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\TabletTip\1.7

EnableCompatibilityKeyboard DWORD

0 = Remove standard keyboard layout
1 = Add standard keyboard layout


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To Add Standard Keyboard Layout as a Touch Keyboard Option
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Add_Standard_Keyboard_Layout_to_Touch_Keyboard.bat
download

3. To Remove Standard Keyboard Layout as a Touch Keyboard Option
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.​
Remove_Standard_Keyboard_Layout_from_Touch_Keyboard.bat
download

4. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and run it.​
5. If prompted, click/tap on Run to approve.​
NOTE: If you like, you can stop getting the Run prompt by unblocking the downloaded .bat file.​
6. You will now see a quick flash as the BAT file runs and restarts explorer.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Add_Standard_Keyboard_Layout_to_Touch_Keyboard.bat
    339 bytes · Views: 2,798
  • Remove_Standard_Keyboard_Layout_from_Touch_Keyboard.bat
    339 bytes · Views: 1,221
  • Touch_keyboard.png
    Touch_keyboard.png
    196 bytes · Views: 266
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm in the middle of fixing a problem with the metro pc settings. Is there some way I can enable the standard layout without having to go through the pc settings?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD A10 5800K Black Edition
    Motherboard
    F2-A85M PRO
    Memory
    Patriot Viper 3 (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600, 2x8GB 2400 Radeon R9
    Graphics Card(s)
    DIAMOND HD Radeon 7870 GHz Edition (7870PE52G)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQGW2255; Asus VE228
    Screen Resolution
    (1920,1080,60Hz) (1920,1080,60Hz)
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital Caviar Black 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM
    Seagate 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid
    PSU
    OCZ 550w Fatal1ty (OCZ550FTY)
    Case
    CMSTORM Scout 2 (SGC-2100-GWN1)
    Keyboard
    Razer Deathstalker Expert Edition
    Mouse
    Monoprice 8-button (PID:9286)
    Internet Speed
    30Mbps<x<100Mbps
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Good ol' Windows Defender (or MSE)
    Other Info
    http://pcpartpicker.com/user/VoidsShadow/saved/M7nwrH

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
@VoidsShadow

I've added OPTION THREE to help be able to add/remove the standard keyboard layout for the touch keyboard using a .bat file. :)
 

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
Hi. I just ran option 3 and it crashed my OS. :( Any ideas on how to reverse it so I don't have to 'refresh' my PC would be really appreciated.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7
Hello Jasebrux, and welcome to Eight Forums. :)

Most likely something interrupted it while it was restarting explorer instead, and you are just stuck without explorer running.

Restart the PC, and you should be fine. There's nothing in the .bat file that can harm your computer since it only does the same as OPTION TWO in 8.1.
 

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
Thanks. Unfortunately it's properly crashed. Rebooting just gives me a blank screen and periodically it does the auto repair. I can't even start it in safe mode. I have a safe point from a couple of weeks ago, so i'm restoring to that date now.
I was hoping I could go in and undo the .bat from the command prompt, but I didn't see that it had made any alterations, but then again I wouldn't really know since I'm not THAT savvy. Hopefully the restore point will work out. Thanks, though.

update: recovery point failed. :(
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion g7

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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