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Windows keyboard settings are spread across layout, typing, accessibility and classic Keyboard Properties screens. Choose the screen that matches what you want to change. Changing the input language will not fix a physically broken key, and changing the repeat rate will not correct the wrong keyboard layout.
Where to find the keyboard setting you need
| What you want to change | Windows 11 starting point | Windows 10 starting point |
|---|---|---|
| Language and layout | Settings > Time & language > Language & region | Settings > Time & Language > Language |
| Typing suggestions | Settings > Time & language > Typing | Settings > Devices > Typing |
| Sticky, Filter and Toggle Keys | Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard | Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard |
| Repeat delay and repeat rate | Windows + R, enter control keyboard, then open the Speed tab. |
|
| Keyboard lighting and hardware macros | Your keyboard maker’s supported software or documented hardware controls. | |
Change or add a keyboard layout
A layout tells Windows what character each key should type. It needs to match the physical keyboard and the language you want to use.
- Open the language settings shown in the table.
- Open the options for your language. In Windows 11, use the language’s three-dot menu and Language options.
- Under Keyboards, add the layout you need.
- Press Windows + Space to switch between installed layouts.
- Test punctuation and symbols in Notepad before removing an old layout.
Microsoft‘s layout guide covers both Windows versions. Changing the keyboard layout does not necessarily change the language used for Windows menus.
Open classic Keyboard Properties
- Press Windows + R.
- Enter
control keyboardand press Enter. - On Speed, adjust the repeat delay or repeat rate.
- Hold a character in the test area to check the result, then apply the setting if it suits you.
Repeat delay controls how long you hold a key before it repeats. Repeat rate controls how quickly the character repeats after that. These settings do not add new characters to the physical keyboard or change its lighting.
Check accessibility controls
Microsoft’s input-accessibility guide explains the main options:
- Sticky Keys: enter a shortcut one key at a time rather than holding several keys together.
- Filter Keys: ignore some brief or repeated presses. Check it if keys seem to respond slowly.
- Toggle Keys: play a sound when keys such as Caps Lock change state.
- On-Screen Keyboard: type by selecting keys on the screen. Windows + Ctrl + O opens or closes it.
Leave an accessibility feature enabled if it helps you. If it was turned on accidentally, review its shortcut setting as well as its main switch. People using a compatible eye tracker can also read our Windows Eye Control guide.
Typing settings and advanced keyboard settings
The Typing page contains options such as text suggestions and spelling help where supported. Use its Advanced keyboard settings link, or search Settings for that name, to review the default input method and related options.
Available controls vary by Windows build, language and hardware. Avoid treating a Windows 10 screenshot as an exact map of Windows 11.
For multi-item copy and paste, use the separate clipboard history settings. For the key that opens Start, see Win Lock and Windows-key controls.
If typing still feels wrong
- Wrong symbols: check the active layout before reinstalling a driver.
- Repeated or missed characters: check Filter Keys, repeat settings and the keyboard itself.
- Only one app is affected: check that app’s shortcuts and input settings.
- Lighting or Fn behavior: check the manual for your exact model.
Change one setting at a time and test it. That makes it much easier to undo the change that did not help.