How To Change Keyboard From Us To Uk Windows 11 ((full)) Jun 2026

Press simultaneously. A small menu overlays your screen; keep holding the Windows key and tap the Spacebar to cycle to the UK layout.

In the Settings window, look at the left sidebar. Click on (it has a clock icon).

If you want to keep only the UK layout for the English language, you can modify the list:

Check both boxes at the bottom: and New user accounts . Click OK and restart your computer.

Changing your keyboard from US to UK on Windows 11 is a simple process that takes less than two minutes once you know where to look. Whether you use the modern Settings app, the classic Control Panel, or PowerShell, the key steps are: add the "English (United Kingdom)" language, ensure the UK QWERTY keyboard is selected, and remove or deprioritize the US layout. how to change keyboard from us to uk windows 11

A small menu will pop up listing all installed keyboard layouts.

Windows 11 sometimes reverts back to a US layout after a system update or reboot. Fix this by checking your system administrative overrides:

Press on your keyboard. Alternatively, click the Start button (Windows icon) on the taskbar, then select the gear icon (Settings).

Once you have both the United States and United Kingdom layouts installed on your system, you can switch back and forth instantly using native operating system features. Method 1: The Taskbar Language Bar Press simultaneously

Windows 11 has two built-in shortcuts to cycle through keyboard layouts. This is useful if you frequently switch between US and UK (e.g., coding in US layout but writing emails in UK layout).

If the UK layout is not already in your system, follow these steps to install it:

Even if your physical keyboard is US-labeled, you can still use the UK software layout—you just need to memorize the new positions.

If both US and UK layouts are retained on the system, users must know how to toggle between them. Click on (it has a clock icon)

For user clarity, the primary differences between the US and UK layouts are summarized below:

If you need help resolving problems with specific or configuring specialized international hotkeys , let me know so I can provide customized troubleshooting steps. Share public link

If you only use a physical UK keyboard and want to stop accidental layout changes from happening entirely, the best method is to remove the United States entry completely from your operating system files. Go to .

Change the "View by" option in the top right to . Click on Region .

: You can also use Alt + Shift to switch layouts if configured. 3. Set UK as Default or Remove US To ensure your computer always starts with the UK layout:

The physical layout of keys in the United Kingdom differs significantly from the United States. Even if your physical hardware has a UK layout (with the £ symbol printed on the 3 key), Windows 11 will interpret your keystrokes based on its internal software settings. Physical Key US Software Layout Output UK Software Layout Output Shift + 3 Shift + ' Backslash (\) Near Enter Key Near Left Shift Key Step-by-Step: How to Add the UK Keyboard Layout