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How to Open the Touch Keyboard in Windows 11

Richard
Written byRichardTech Writer, IT Professional
Aug 17, 2022 Updated Apr 16, 2026 3 min read Reviewed Mar 19, 2026

This guide shows you how to use the touch keyboard in Windows 11. If your computer has a touchscreen, you can type using this onscreen keyboard.

Why use this? Sometimes the keyboard does not pop up when you tap a text box. Knowing how to open it manually ensures you can always type, even if your physical keyboard is disconnected or unavailable.

What happens when done? You will have a quick way to bring up the touch keyboard whenever you need it.

How to show the touch keyboard on your taskbar

The fastest way to access the keyboard is by adding a shortcut to your taskbar.

  1. Open the Start menu and select Settings.
  2. Go to Personalization and select Taskbar.
  3. Click on Taskbar corner icons.
  4. Find Touch keyboard and turn it to On.

Now, you can simply tap the keyboard icon on your taskbar whenever you need to type.

Touch keyboard open on Windows 11 screen

How to open the keyboard via Settings

If you prefer to use the Windows menu, you can open the keyboard through the system settings.

Note: You must have administrative privileges to change system-wide personalization settings.

1. Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.

Windows 11 Start Menu settings for personalization

2. Click Personalization on the left side menu.

Windows 11 personalization settings for text input

3. Select the Text input tile on the right side.

Windows 11 touch keyboard tile in settings

4. Click the Touch keyboard tile to expand it.

Open touch keyboard option in Windows 11

5. Click the Open keyboard button.

Summary

The Windows 11 touch keyboard is a great tool for touchscreen devices. While it usually appears automatically, you can now easily open it using the taskbar icon or by navigating through the Personalization settings. This ensures you can always enter text comfortably on your device.

How do I enable the touch keyboard in Windows 11?

To enable the touch keyboard in Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Personalization > Taskbar. Under Taskbar corner icons, make sure the Touch keyboard option is turned on.

Why is my touch keyboard not opening automatically?

If your touch keyboard is not opening automatically, it may be due to settings not being enabled for touch-enabled applications. You can manually open it from the taskbar or adjust the settings in the Windows Settings app.

Can I customize the touch keyboard in Windows 11?

Yes, you can customize the touch keyboard in Windows 11. You can adjust settings such as keyboard layout and appearance through the Personalization > Text input settings in the Windows Settings app.

What should I do if the touch keyboard icon is missing from the taskbar?

If the touch keyboard icon is missing, ensure that it is enabled in the Taskbar corner icons settings. If it is still not visible, try restarting your device or checking for Windows updates.

Is the touch keyboard available for non-touchscreen devices?

While the touch keyboard is primarily designed for touchscreen devices, it can still be used on non-touchscreen devices. You can access it through the taskbar or the Windows Settings app, even if your device does not have a touchscreen.

Richard2457 articles

About the Author

Richard

Tech Writer, IT Professional

Richard, the owner and lead writer at Geek Rewind, is a tech enthusiast passionate about simplifying complex IT topics. His years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations have honed his ability to provide practical insights and solutions. Richard aims to make technology more accessible and actionable. He's deeply committed to the Geek Rewind community, always ready to answer questions and engage in discussions.

Expertise:Windows 11Ubuntu LinuxCMSApps and Browsers
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