How to change the keyboard language in Windows 11 step by step

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En Windows 11 change the language and keyboard layout It's something you'll need sooner or later, whether you write in multiple languages, have bought a different keyboard, or the system has stuck with a configuration you don't like. While it might seem complicated at first, the system actually offers several convenient ways to manage these settings.

Throughout this guide you will see How to install new keyboard languages, how to quickly switch between them, how to set one as the default and even how to recover the language icon when it disappears from the taskbar. We'll also go over useful keyboard shortcuts and some common problems, so you can type in any language you want without going crazy.

Install a new keyboard language in Windows 11

Before you can use another distribution, it is essential Install the language and keyboard from the settings Windows 11This process is done only once for each language you want to add.

To begin, open the system settings panel. You can do this by clicking on Home and later Configurationor by pressing the keyboard shortcut Windows + I, which takes you directly to the settings window.

Within Settings, enter the section Time and languageIn the sidebar you'll see several options related to language, date, and region; the one we're interested in is Language and region, where the installed language options and their input methods are concentrated.

In the section Preferred languages The list of languages ​​already available on your system appears. To add a new one, click the button. Add languageA box will open with a search box where you can type the name of the language (for example, Spanish, English, French, German, etc.) and select the specific variant (Spain, Mexico, United States, United Kingdom, etc.).

Once you've chosen your language, the assistant will show you several additional options, such as enabling voice recognition, handwriting recognition, or screen features. Usually, simply leaving the selected option is sufficient. basic language features and display languageHowever, if you're going to use it intensively, you can select everything that interests you and continue clicking on Next.

On the next screen, tap on Install for Windows Download the corresponding package and also add the associated keyboard layoutWhen the process is complete, that language will appear in the list of preferred languages ​​and you will be able to configure or add more keyboards for it.

Add and manage keyboard layouts in Windows 11

Installing a language doesn't always mean you already have all the keyboard layouts you want to useFor example, you might have Spanish as your language, but need both the Spanish and Latin American keyboards, or want to add an international English keyboard.

To control all of this, go back to Settings > Time & language > Language & regionIn the Preferred Languages ​​section, you will see each language listed with an icon. More (three dots) on the right. Click on that icon next to the language for which you want to add another keyboard and select Language options.

The new screen will feature a section dedicated to the keyboards installed for that language. Here you can see which distribution is active, and if you want to add another one, you'll have to click on the button. Add a keyboardA list will be displayed showing all distributions compatible with that specific language.

Scroll through the list and choose the design that interests you (for example, Spanish, Spanish - ISO, English United States), International keyboardetc.). As soon as you select it, Windows It will be added and then available to switch between them from the taskbar or using keyboard shortcuts.

In some cases, the keyboard you're looking for might not appear in the list. In that situation, you'll usually need to install an additional language pack or a distinct regional variant. Only if Windows If that layout is not offered, manufacturers recommend contacting the supplier of the keyboard or language in question.

Change the keyboard language from the taskbar

Once you have multiple keyboards installed, Windows 11 lets you quickly switch between them from the taskbarIt's the most visual way to know what language you're writing in at any given time.

In the bottom right corner, next to the date and time, you'll see an abbreviation like ESP, ENG or similar. That short text is the input language indicatorand reflects the currently active keyboard. Left-clicking on that abbreviation will open a menu with all available keyboards.

To switch to another one, simply Click on the layout you want to useThe change is immediate: from that moment on, all applications will use that keyboard language unless you have configured otherwise in the advanced options.

You can repeat this same process as many times as needed. If at any point you want to return to the original layout, simply go back to the menu and select the keyboard you were using before.

If you don't see any menus or only see a keyboard, you probably only have a configured distributionIn that case, you'll need to review the previous steps to add at least a second keyboard that allows you to switch between them.

Keyboard shortcuts to change the keyboard language

In addition to the taskbar icon, Windows 11 offers keyboard shortcuts to change the keyboard language without taking your hands off the keyboard. They are especially useful when you are constantly switching languages ​​while typing.

The most well-known shortcut in Windows 11 is Windows + SpaceBy holding down the key Windows Pressing the space bar displays a small floating panel with all installed keyboards, and you can switch between them by pressing space. It's a quick and intuitive way to navigate the input language list.

The traditional system is also active on many devices. Alt+Shift to switch from one language to another. This shortcut, however, has a drawback: just scroll through the list in orderTherefore, it becomes difficult if you always want to go to a specific language regardless of which one is active at that moment.

Some users want a shortcut that directly activates language A or language B, regardless of which one is currently in use. Natively, Windows does not allow assignment a fixed combination per language The system is easily accessible through the graphical interface; it works by rotating input methods according to the configured order. For finer control, third-party tools or scripts that automate these changes would be necessary.

In any case, both access through Windows + Space like the use of Alt+Shift They are sufficient for most users who only need to switch between two or three distributions occasionally.

Configure the default input method

If you use multiple keyboards, it's worth deciding. which one should start by default when logging in or when opening new applications. Windows 11 has a specific section to set this behavior through advanced keyboard configuration.

To access, type in the search bar of Windows Advanced keyboard settings and enter the option that appears with that name. You can also access it from Settings, by going to Time and language and using the links to advanced keyboard options if they are available in your version.

Within that window you will find the section Override for default input methodBy expanding the menu, you can choose which keyboard layout should be used as the primary one for the system, regardless of the order of the languages ​​in the Language and Region section.

Below you will see a box with the text Let me use a different input method for each window of the applicationIf you select this option, each program will be able to keep its own keyboard language. For example, you could have your browser in English and a word processor in Spanish, without changing the language in one application automatically changing the others.

This window separation is very practical when working with content in different languages ​​at the same timeHowever, it can also cause confusion if you don't remember which language is active in each place, so it's important to always check the indicator in the taskbar.

Show or hide the language icon in the taskbar

The small text that appears next to the clock in the taskbar, with abbreviations like ESP or ENG, corresponds to the input language iconIf it's visible, it lets you switch keyboards with a couple of clicks. However, in some cases it disappears, and many people don't know how to get it back.

To display it again, go to Settings > Personalization > TaskbarFrom here you control everything you see in the bar, including the notification area, where the system icons appear.

Within the taskbar settings, look for the section called Notification area and click the link Enable or disable system iconsA list will open with all the icons that can appear in that area: clock, network, volume, input indicator, etc.

Locate the option Input indicator and make sure it's set to EnabledOnce you do that, the language icon should reappear in the taskbar and you can use it to switch between your keyboards.

If the indicator still does not appear after activating it, it is possible that the legacy language bar (the one used in older versions of Windows) and is replacing the modern icon of Windows 11. In that case, you will need to disable that classic bar by following the steps below.

Disable the legacy language bar

On some computers, especially those that have been upgraded from previous versions of Windows, it can remain active desktop language barwhich appears floating above the desktop instead of the current taskbar icon. When this legacy taskbar is enabled, the modern language icon is disabled.

To disable that old toolbar, go to Settings > Time and language and look for keyboard or typing options. In certain editions, this is accessed through Settings > Devices > Writingespecially in legacy documentation or in systems that maintain previous structures.

If you want to go faster, you can type in the search bar of Windows Advanced keyboard settings and open that section directly. It's the same window where we previously defined the default input method.

Within this advanced configuration, you will see a section dedicated to the input methodsThe option appears here. Use the desktop language bar when availableTo make the language icon in the taskbar active and visible again, you must uncheck that box.

By disabling the legacy language bar, the system reverts to its current behavior. Windows 11, with the input indicator next to the clock. This way, you can manage the keyboards again from the usual taskbar area without interference from the old interface.

Manage typing and other keyboard options

In addition to changing the language, Windows 11 includes a section of Writing Instruments where other settings related to how you input text into the system are concentrated, especially if you use more advanced features such as the touch keyboard or predictions.

This part is usually found in Settings > Time & language > Typing or in some equipment in Settings > Devices > WritingFrom here you can adjust automatic corrections, word suggestions, handwriting options, and other parameters that affect the typing experience.

One point worth remembering is that, if your language supports it, you can press [button] from any text input field. Windows + . (period) to open the panel emoji and other symbolsThis feature is independent of the keyboard language, although some emojis and symbols may vary slightly depending on the language and regional settings.

If you notice strange behavior while typing (unexpected language switches, odd autocorrections, etc.), it's worth reviewing both the keyboard layouts added such as these writing settings to ensure that the system is using only what you really need.

Change keyboard language in Windows 10 (quick reference)

Although this guide is focused on Windows 11, many of the questions come from users who have passed since Windows 10 They encounter a slightly different menu organization. The general logic is the same, but the names of some sections change slightly.

En Windows 10. The way to add a new keyboard involves opening the Language settings From the search bar, go to the list of Preferred languageschoose your desired language and enter OptionsWithin these options is the button Add a keyboard, which allows you to select the distribution to be used.

Similarly, to set the default input method, there is the section Advanced keyboard settingsalso accessible from the search WindowsIn it, you can choose the default keyboard in the section of Override for default input method and enable or disable the option to use a different input method for each application window.

This reference is useful if you work with more than one team and some of them haven't yet made the leap to Windows 11. The ideas are the same, only the paths to reach each of the options change slightly.

Practical tips and solutions to common problems

When working with multiple languages, it's quite common for minor annoyances to arise, such as not knowing what language you're writing in Or that a key combination changes the layout without you even noticing. There are several tricks that can save you time and frustration.

The first thing is to get used to always looking at the language indicator next to the timeIt's the quickest way to make sure the system is using the correct keyboard before you start typing a password, email, or any important text.

If you notice the language changing "on its own," check if you have several shortcuts active, such as Alt+Shift o Windows + Space And perhaps you're accidentally pressing them while using other key combinations. In Advanced Keyboard Settings, you can adjust your input method switching preferences to reduce these unintentional changes.

When the problem is that the keyboard you want doesn't appear anywhere, check that you've added not only the display languagebut also the specific distribution within the Language optionsIf it still doesn't appear, it's probably an unusual design that requires a specific additional package or even manufacturer software.

Finally, if you lose your language icon in the taskbar or can't easily switch layouts, check the section on Enable or disable system icons like the box of Use the desktop language bar when availableThe key to restoring expected behavior often lies between these two adjustments.

With all these options configured to your liking, it becomes very simple. moving between multiple keyboard languages ​​in Windows 11 Depending on your needs at any given time. Whether through icons, keyboard shortcuts, or advanced settings, the system gives you enough flexibility to make writing in multiple languages ​​go from a headache to a natural part of your daily life.