Do you often change the language when writing? You need quick access to special characters that not every keyboard layout contains? Then you should know how to change the keyboard language in Windows 10. Exactly for this purpose, Windows 10 has a keyboard shortcut, which we present to you below.
First, however, you have to make sure that the language in question is installed on your operating system. Similar to the language settings of Word and Excel, you have to switch to the general settings. Of course, the download of the language pack only works with an existing internet connection.
This tutorial will show you how to change the keyboard language in Windows 10 with the click of a button.
How to Change the Keyboard Language in Windows 10?
- Installing a Keyboard Language on Windows 10
- How to Change the Keyboard Language via the Taskbar
- How to Change the Keyboard Language with a Keyboard Shortcut
The first step is mainly for preparation. So let’s start by adding a few more languages to your operating system.
1. Installing a Keyboard Language on Windows 10
Depending on the provider from which you have purchased your version of Windows 10, only one language may be installed at the beginning. Whether you have Windows 10 Home or rely on the Pro version does not matter at this point. The differences between the two systems lie in other areas.
Just stick to the following guide if you want to know how to change the keyboard language in Windows 10 or alternatively view the languages you already have:
- Go to the Windows 10 settings by clicking on the gear icon in the Start menu or using the shortcut Windows logo key + I. You may first have to activate your Windows key.
- The first submenu you select is Time and Language, where you will find the Language tab on the left.
- Under Preferred Languages you can see all installed language packages. The icons indicate, for example, whether speech recognition has been set up.
- To get to the keyboard language, select your default language and click on Options.
- Here you can click on the plus in front of Add keyboard under Keyboards to install the appropriate layout from a list.
- Confirm your selection and exit the menu.
If you want to learn how to change the keyboard language in Windows 10 right away, you can also select the new layout here. Otherwise, there are several possibilities, of which we will present the two simplest ones below.
2. How to Change the Keyboard Language via the Taskbar
The taskbar is the menu bar at the bottom of your screen, which you bring to the foreground by pressing the Windows logo key when in doubt. In case of display difficulties, have a look at our guide, if your Windows 10 taskbar does not work properly. Then you should see your open programs, the start menu on the left and your notifications including time on the right.
Next to the time and date, an abbreviation for the current keyboard layout is displayed. For example, if you have a German keyboard, it will say DEU. If you perform a normal left click on this field, a clear list of all installed language packages is displayed. Each entry shows first the display language and below that the keyboard layout. Click on a language to change the Windows keyboard language.
Tip: If you click on the language settings below, you will immediately get to the menu where you can install additional layouts. See the individual steps above.
3. How to Change the Keyboard Language via Keyboard Shortcut
An even easier way to change your Windows keyboard language is to use the new shortcut. This keyboard shortcut replaces the combination of Alt + Shift key from Windows 8.1 or earlier versions. In Windows 10, on the other hand, you once again rely on the Windows logo key, this time in conjunction with the space bar. Holding down the space bar cycles through all installed languages.
You can unlock further options by purchasing a Microsoft Office package. In Word 2019 you can click on the Language button in the Verify menu. There you will see how to change the keyboard language in Windows 10 by making a change under the editing languages. Then you can also count the characters and words in Word correctly.
