How to Make Standard Keyboard Layout Available in Touch Keyboard in Windows 8 and 8.1
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:
For more information about the Touch Keyboard in Windows 8, see:
- Designing the Windows 8 touch keyboard - Building Windows 8 - Site Home - MSDN Blogs
- How to use the touch keyboard
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
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.
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.
EXAMPLE: "Touch Keyboard" with Standard Keyboard Layout
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.
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)
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.
OPTION THREE
To Add or Remove Standard Layout in Touch Keyboard using a BAT File
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
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
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
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
Related Tutorials
- How to Create a "Touch Keyboard" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Turn On or Off to Play Click Sounds as you Type on Touch Keyboard in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create an "On-Screen Keyboard" Shortcut in Vista, Windows 7, & Windows 8
- How to Turn the "On-Screen Keyboard" On or Off in Vista, Windows 7, & Windows 8
- How to Enable or Disable Touch Keyboard Toolbar in Windows 8 and 8.1
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