Once both options are active on your computer, you can cycle between them instantly using system shortcuts. Option A: The Taskbar Input Indicator
If you just set up a new PC or updated your operating system, you might notice that pressing gives you an "@" symbol instead of quotation marks (""), or that your pound sign (£) has vanished. This happens because Windows 11 often defaults to the United States layout.
: Locate your primary language (e.g., English (United States)), click the three dots (...) next to it, and select Language options .
Windows 11 sometimes reverts back to a US layout after a system update or reboot. Fix this by checking your system administrative overrides: how to change keyboard from us to uk windows 11
If "English (United Kingdom)" is not already present in the "Preferred languages" list, it must be installed:
To make your software match your physical UK keyboard, you need to add the United Kingdom language pack via the official Windows 11 Settings application.
However, to change the current user’s keyboard layout, go back to the main Control Panel and select under the "Clock, Language, and Region" section. From there, you can add English (United Kingdom) and set it as default—similar to the Settings app but with an older interface. Once both options are active on your computer,
Click . Wait a few moments for Windows to download the language features. Step 4: Add the UK Keyboard Layout
Look at the bottom right corner of your screen (the system tray).
If you only use a physical UK keyboard and want to stop accidental layout changes from happening entirely, the best method is to remove the United States entry completely from your operating system files. Go to . : Locate your primary language (e
: You can also use Alt + Shift to switch layouts if configured. 3. Set UK as Default or Remove US To ensure your computer always starts with the UK layout:
Locate in your Preferred languages window. Click the three dots (...) icon situated next to it. Select the Remove action button.
If you prefer to keep both the US and UK keyboard layouts installed, you can toggle between them instantly using the Windows 11 taskbar.