How To Change Keyboard From Us To Uk Windows 11 Jun 2026

A: No. The keyboard layout is separate from the display language. You can type using a UK layout while keeping all your Windows menus and dialog boxes in English (US) or any other language.

Changing your keyboard layout in Windows 11 from US to UK is a quick fix that ensures your symbols, like the and @ keys, are exactly where you expect them to be. Step 1: Open Your Settings

Once installed, you can switch between the US and UK layouts using these methods:

Navigate to on the left sidebar, then click on Language & region . how to change keyboard from us to uk windows 11

: Look at the bottom-right corner of your desktop taskbar, right next to your clock. You will see a three-letter language identifier abbreviation (e.g., ENG US or ENG UK ). Left-click this icon to reveal a pop-up selection window, then click your desired format.

Switching from US to UK keyboard layout changes key mappings like:

If you choose to keep both layouts installed—perhaps because you switch between external travel keyboards and a desktop rig—you do not need to dive into the settings menu every time you want to change inputs. Windows 11 includes built-in shortcuts to alternate layouts instantly: Changing your keyboard layout in Windows 11 from

Under the "Preferred languages" section, you will likely see "English (United States)". Click the three dots ( ... ) next to it and select Language options .

Before diving into the settings, it's helpful to understand why your keys might not match what appears on the screen. While the letter keys (A–Z) are identical on both US and UK keyboards, the symbols are placed differently. The most notable difference is the location of the @ and " symbols. On a US keyboard, the @ symbol is on the number 2 key, while on a UK keyboard, the " symbol is on the number 2 key and the @ symbol is on the key next to the Enter key. If you press the @ key but see a " appear, your software is set to the UK layout while you have a US physical keyboard (or vice versa).

Note: Windows requires at least one active layout. If the "Remove" button is grayed out, it means you are either currently actively typing with that layout, or it is the only keyboard option remaining. Switch your input method first, then proceed with deletion. Quick Shortcuts to Switch Between Layouts You will see a three-letter language identifier abbreviation

Once added, you can quickly toggle between your active layouts: Keyboard Shortcut: Windows Key + Spacebar to cycle through your installed layouts. Language abbreviation

Changing the keyboard layout from US to UK in Windows 11 is a straightforward process managed primarily through the "Time & Language" settings menu. By installing the English (United Kingdom) language pack and selecting the appropriate keyboard layout, users can correct symbol mismatches (specifically @ and " ) and gain access to currency symbols such as