set default keyboard layout in windows 11

Question

I use two different keyboard layouts but every I boot up my pc I have to change to the second layout.

How do I make it the default one?

Start, Settings, Time and Language, Typing. You should be able to set default there. — John, Apr 01 '23 at 15:35

score 4 · Answer 1 · edited May 08 '23 at 02:48

4

In Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings, you can select a keyboard as the default. (tested under Windows 11 Pro 22H2, OS build 22621.1635)

Example showing United States-Dvorak as default keyboard:

edited May 08 '23 at 02:48

Destroy666

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answered May 07 '23 at 19:42

roller

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This should be the accepted answer. No need for the registry. Demerits for Microsoft for making this nearly impossible to find without a web search. – WiringHarness May 17 '23 at 18:40
For me does not work. – avysk May 25 '23 at 07:27

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 01 '23 at 16:58

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This option is well-hidden in Windows 11, so you will have to go into the registry.

Find your Keyboard identifier in the list and note it down
Run regedit
Position to the registry key HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Keyboard Layout\Preload
You will see your two keyboard layout listed, where your layout is in the item named 2
Right-click the item named 1, select "Rename" and change it to 3
Likewise rename 2 to 1
Now rename 3 to 2 to swap the order
Reboot for your change to take effect.

answered Apr 01 '23 at 16:58

harrymc

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For me this does change the selected layout at boot screen, but after logging in I still have the wrong layout. – avysk May 25 '23 at 07:27
@avysk: Check the other registry keys from [this answer](https://superuser.com/a/1340511/8672). – harrymc May 25 '23 at 08:38
`HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Keyboard Layout\Preload` looked correct but I have deleted it anyway and my problem is gone. Thanks! – avysk May 27 '23 at 09:50
I can rename the registry only if I start the `regedit` in admin mode. – zetyty Jul 20 '23 at 16:15

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered May 01 '23 at 07:55

It seems like you need the registry if you want to change the keyboard layout within a language (aka "Language options"):

If you have multi languages installed (like in my example, I am running Windows 11 (Version 21H2 Build 22000.856) with English + German installed), one should be able to change the default keyboard layout without the need to change the registry but by just putting the language in question to the top position:

Settings -> Time & language -> Language & region: move the keyboard layout in question to the top position.

set default keyboard layout in windows 11

3 Answers3