How to Change Keyboard Language on Windows 11

Updated February 28, 2026 · 4 min read

Just bought a PC with a keyboard in a different language? Or need to type in multiple languages? This guide shows you how to add, remove, and switch between keyboard languages on Windows 11 in 5 steps.

Before you start: if you don't know which layout matches your physical keyboard, use FindMyKeyboard to identify it in seconds.

The 5 Steps

Open Settings

Click the Start menu, then the Settings icon (gear). Quick shortcut: press Win + I.

Go to Time & Language

In the left panel, click "Time & language", then "Language & region".

You'll see the list of languages already installed on your system.

Add a Language

Click "Add a language". In the window that opens:

Type the name of the language you need (e.g. "French", "German", "Spanish")
Select the regional variant (e.g. "French (France)" vs "French (Belgium)" — each has a different layout!)
Click "Next" then "Install"

Check the Installed Layout

Go back to Language & region. Next to the language you just added, click the three dots (⋯), then "Language options".

Under the "Keyboards" section, check that the correct layout is listed. If not, click "Add a keyboard" and choose the right layout.

Switch Between Languages

You can now switch between keyboard languages in two ways:

Keyboard shortcut: Win + Space to cycle through languages
Taskbar: click the language indicator (e.g. "ENG" or "FRA") at the bottom right of the screen

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I remove a keyboard language?

Go back to Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Click the three dots next to the language you want to remove, then click "Remove".

My physical keyboard doesn't match the configured language

This is a common issue! For example, you have a QWERTY keyboard but Windows is set to AZERTY. The keys you type don't match what appears on screen. The fix: add the language that matches your physical keyboard, not the language you want to write in.

Tip: you can use a QWERTY physical keyboard with an AZERTY software layout (or vice versa). Windows will remap the keys automatically. But be aware that the key markings won't match what you type!

The Win + Space shortcut doesn't work

Make sure you have at least two languages installed. If the issue persists, try Alt + Shift, which is the legacy Windows shortcut.

Using Windows 10? Check our dedicated guide: Change keyboard language on Windows 10.

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