Menu
homeBios

Where is the onscreen keyboard in Windows 7? How to Open the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows XP Using a Mouse

An on-screen (sometimes virtual) keyboard is a keyboard that is located on the screen of a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet or other device. It is convenient to use, for example, when a mechanical keyboard has failed and you need to type some text.

In this article we will tell you in detail how to call on-screen keyboard on the Windows operating system.

First way

Suitable for everyone Windows versions.

Click on the “Start” button, then in the “Find programs and files” window write the word screen. At the top of the window you see the On-Screen Keyboard application. Click on its name to launch the virtual keyboard.

She looks like this:

If you are using Windows 10, you need to click on the “Search” key and enter the word.

Second way

A universal and simple method that is supported by all versions of Windows, including XP and 10. And very convenient, by the way.

Press the Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run window. Add a command osk and click OK.

Surely you have a question - what does osk mean? This is an abbreviation for on-screen keyboard, which translates as “on-screen keyboard”.

Third way

It is too universal method for all versions of Windows. Not the most convenient, but quite relevant.

Launch Command Prompt. On Windows 7, you can launch it through the “Start” menu, “All Programs” - “Accessories”.

If you are using Windows 10, you need to press Win+X, or hover your mouse over the Start icon and right-click to bring up a menu. In it, select “Command Line”.

When command line running, enter the command osk and press Enter.

The virtual keyboard will launch.

Fourth method

A simple option for Windows 7. Click on the “Start” button and a menu will appear. You need to follow the following path: “All programs” - “Standard” - “Special features”. One of the items here is called “On-Screen Keyboard”, just click on it.

Fifth method

Method for Windows 10.

Click on the “Start” button and select “Settings”.

Next, the “Settings” window opens, in it click on the “Special Features” item.

Go to the “Keyboard” section and move the lever to the “On” position. under the line “Enable on-screen keyboard”.

Sixth method

Ideal for Windows 7 and 8.

Open Control Panel. This can be done, for example, using the Run window. Call a window, add a command control and click OK.

The control panel is open. Find the "Ease of Access Center" section and click on it.

In the next window, you just have to click “Enable on-screen keyboard”.

Alternative

Don't forget that you can always download alternative version virtual keyboard. There are many applications, one of the most popular is called Free Virtual Keyboard.

It is distributed free of charge and weighs very little.

Most often, this is not difficult to do, since the corresponding utility is built into Windows. But even if you can’t launch it, there are alternative options.

You may need to enable the on-screen keyboard on your laptop or PC in the following situations:

  • When the system does not recognize the device driver, but the mouse or display sensor works (some models of modern laptops have it);
  • If necessary, increase the confidentiality of information. It is believed that screen input is more protected from spyware than standard input.

Keyboard in Windows 7

For the seventh generation operating room Microsoft systems The most common and easiest way to open a utility that allows you to enter characters using a mouse or touch screen is to enter through the “Accessibility” item (found in standard programs Start menu).

The second option is to search through the corresponding field.

If you cannot find the on-screen keyboard using any of the above methods, the option of going to the “Control Panel” and the Programs and Features menu may be suitable.

On the left there is an item that opens the list installed elements Windows 7.

Here the item of Tablet PC components is noted.

After selecting this option, a manual will appear on the screen. If it is not provided at all, most likely you will have to update the system.

Advice! For automatic appearance virtual keyboard when logging into Windows 7, you must perform all the same steps as for other versions of the OS from Microsoft.

On-screen keyboard in Windows 8

Windows 8 was designed from the ground up to be able to use touch displays. For this reason, virtual is present in it by default.

The only exception may be the simplified Home version.

You can run it like this:

  1. Open the “All applications” item of the system;
  2. Find the “Special Features” section;
  3. Enable the virtual on-screen keyboard in the application list.

The second method is to type using the on-screen keyboard. A search results window should appear with the desired item.

Although this option is only possible if normal operation a regular keyboard and is only useful for increasing the secrecy of data entry.

The third option is to enable the manual through the system Control Panel. It will take about the same amount of time as the first one.

But sometimes quick exit into the system control panel is possible directly from the desktop - to do this, you just need to configure the settings for its icons.

In cases where the on-screen keyboard needs to be used frequently, it can be displayed automatically.

To do this, you need to open the system’s special features in the same way and find the item “Use a computer without a mouse or keyboard.”

If you select the use item, it will be available when the user password entry window opens.

Enabling on Windows 10

There are no special differences in launching the virtual keyboard for Windows 10. However, the way to enter the accessibility menu and its appearance other.

The on-screen keyboard must not only be selected, but turned on by moving the corresponding slider.

Downloading the on-screen keyboard

Sometimes the functionality is standard virtual keyboard not enough for the user. Or such a utility is not provided in the system.

In this case, you need to download an alternative option from the Internet.

Free Virtual Keyboard

Free utility Free Virtual Keyboard does not require installation on your computer, has a Russian layout installed and takes up only 0.3 MB.

The program's capabilities are greater than those built into the system, which it can replace when changing Windows settings.

Touch It Virtual Keyboard

The following product is not free, but quite functional. It has many settings and a nice-looking interface.

Moreover, the user can create additional virtual keyboards using Touch It Virtual Keyboard. True, the utility is paid.

Among all the on-screen keyboards, Click-N-Type is highly functional and big amount settings. Visually it looks somewhat old-fashioned.

But it’s almost ideal for those who value features over appearance. Moreover, you don’t need to pay for it.

Click-N-Type On-Screen Keyboard

A virtual keyboard, also called an on-screen keyboard, was created to enter information by clicking on the symbols with the cursor. This is a great option for those whose original keyboard is broken or you are simply afraid keyloggers, i.e. keyloggers.

Keylogging was extremely popular among cybercriminals 10–15 years ago. Such software could read the data you entered, after which the attackers used credit cards the victim, his email was hacked and more.

The on-screen version of the keyboard can partially replace the “full-fledged analogue” one, but the keyboard shortcuts do not work here, since you can only press 1 button at a time.

Search for an application

First, let's find the program on the PC. You will only need to download an on-screen keyboard for Windows 7 if the OS build you have was created in a homemade environment. In other cases, it is already preinstalled in the system. All that remains is to get there. There are 2 ways to do this:

  1. Quick search;
  2. Standard search.

Method 1

Process quick search extraordinary. Click “Start”, after which in the line “find programs and files” we write either the full phrase or simply the word “screen”.

2 results will be displayed. Select the one that is highlighted and activate the program.

Method 2

In the case of standard search We do almost the same thing. Click “Start” and click on “all programs”.

A ton of folders will appear. We are looking for the one called “standard”.

Scroll down the mouse slider until you find the “accessibility” folder.

We open it and find the desired keyboard. Click on the icon to launch the application.

If you use the program systematically, despite working standard keyboard, then the activation process can be simplified. Again, there are 2 methods available:

1) shortcut on the desktop;

2) keyboard shortcut.

Method 1

We do all the same manipulations as in the second search method, but right-click on the desired shortcut. will appear context menu. We do the same as in the screenshot.

Now you have a shortcut that will allow you to launch the software much faster.

Method 2

We need program properties. We perform the same operations as in the second search method, and again click with the right button instead of the left.

Properties are displayed. We are interested in the selected fragment. Instead of a combination, it should say “No”. To assign launch keys, simply press any button on your keyboard. Ctrl+Alt will be substituted automatically.

Note! Let's say you selected Ctrl+Alt+B. We save the changes, and then simultaneously press this combination of buttons. If everything is done correctly, the on-screen keyboard will be activated.

Launch and settings

Now you need to turn on the screen Windows keyboard 7. The procedure is described above. A standard set of buttons will appear, as on a material “analog”.

Some noticed that it is small and there is also no number pad. All this can be changed in the parameters.

Here you can do the following:

1) sound notification pressing;

2) activation digital block;

3) button pressing method.

You can independently adjust the sounds when pressed. If you are annoyed by the characteristic click, uncheck the box.

Advice! If you don't want to press a button with your mouse, switch to scanning. Use the slider to select the speed at which the program will read the position of the mouse cursor on the on-screen buttons. Point the arrow at the letter or number, wait from 0.5 to 2 seconds (depending on the settings) and go to next letter.

Switching the language on the on-screen keyboard is as easy as using a regular one. The only difference is the order in which the buttons are pressed. If on mechanical device required to press Shift while holding Ctlr or Alt, then there is a different algorithm.

Let's say that in the settings the Alt+Shift combination is responsible for switching. Activate the virtual assistant and click first on Alt and then on Shift. They should turn white.

Then press Shift again. The buttons will change color to black, but the layout will become either English or Russian.

Hotkeys on the Windows 7 on-screen keyboard are activated using the same principle.

To, for example, use the Ctrl+Z combination (cancel an action), press Ctrl and then Z. Just don’t forget to enable English layout.

Turning off the on-screen keyboard in Windows 7 is very easy. Click the cross in the right top corner and, that's the end of it.

Virtual assistant for the on-screen keyboard is no different from the standard one. The buttons and other attributes here are the same as on a regular keyboard.

On the one hand, screen projection will not replace a full-fledged keyboard, since writing speed is reduced by several orders of magnitude, and the algorithm for activating keyboard shortcuts leaves much to be desired.

Changing the layout is also implemented, as in standard device, although the developers could very well add separate button, How on mobile devices.

On the other hand, if you are not inclined to have your data systematically fall into the hands of attackers or often spend time in Internet cafes, then it is more advisable to use a virtual keyboard instead of a regular one, since its actions are not tracked.

And of course it's not bad alternative way work if you broke the main keyboard, but to purchase new funds not enough yet. You have to use what you have.

Of course, you can’t play games, but the basic functionality is quite passable and suitable for performing most tasks.

The on-screen keyboard is similar to a physical keyboard and allows you to control it with your mouse pointer. Often regular users don't know how to turn it on this option and where it can be found. Fortunately, a virtual device for entering information is a basic option of the Windows operating system, so it is available on absolutely all devices running this OS. In this article we will look at how to display the on-screen keyboard on the desktop, configure all the parameters and make it automatic start when turning on the device.

Why do you need an on-screen keyboard when you have a regular one?

Many people do not understand the functional purpose of the on-screen keyboard and find it very inconvenient to use. But this software development has its own functional purpose. It is actively used in such cases:

  • people with limited finger mobility or complete absence Having an on-screen keyboard helps with multiple fingers;
  • justified in the case of buttons freezing on a conventional keypad, when they stop functioning at the most inopportune time, and in mandatory you need to finish an important document;
  • Without physical device input;
  • in the presence of tablet device You can only type on the on-screen keyboard;
  • the presence of an on-screen keyboard helps protect against keyloggers and hacker attacks, which is capable of reading the entered password from an ordinary keypad.

Important! A keylogger is a specially developed program or hardware device, which are capable of recording every touch of a key on a personal computer keyboard.

How to enable a keyboard on a computer screen?

To display a virtual device for entering information, you do not need to download an additional software or installing updates. On-screen keyboard is included standard set Windows programs any modification.

Important! The Windows 8 operating system is also equipped with the ability to display on the computer screen touch keyboard, which supports mouse control.

How to install an on-screen keyboard on your computer? The file that launches the virtual device for entering information is located in the System32 folder of the Windows directory, called osk.exe. This way you can turn on the window with softkeys, but few people use such actions.

There are many ways that help you call a virtual device to enter information on Windows 7, 8. Let's look at each method in more detail and detail.

Windows XP

When you enable the onscreen keypad on a computer running Windows XP, you must do the following:

  1. Click the “Start” button.
  2. Open the “All Programs” menu.
  3. Go to the “Standard” directory.
  4. Select the “On-Screen Keyboard” application in the “Accessibility” folder.

Important! If you need to access the program frequently, it is recommended to pin a shortcut to this application on your desktop.

Windows 7

There are several ways to enable a virtual information input device in the Windows 7 operating system. Let's look at them in more detail.

Method number 1 - Start menu

How to install an on-screen keyboard in Windows 7 via the main Start menu:

  1. Press the “Start” key.
  2. Next, select “All programs”.
  3. After that, go to the “Standard” section and open the “Special Features” subsection.
  4. Select the “On-Screen Keyboard” device.

Method number 2 - control panel

Activate virtual device for administration necessary information You can also use the control panel. To do this you need to do the following:

  • Launch the control panel.

Important! This item can be found in the main Start menu. The control panel is located in the right list of all programs and functions.

  • Install the “Small Icons” element.
  • We find the “Ease of Access Center” object and launch it.
  • We commit last action- click on the “Enable on-screen keyboard” object.

Method number 3 - search in the Start menu

The Windows 7 operating system provides a search bar that allows you to quickly find the location of the required object. In order to activate the virtual device to maintain the necessary information, you need to perform the following actions:

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. IN search bar type “on-screen keyboard” (without using quotes).
  3. Press the Enter key.
  4. After these steps, the operating system will display all the results found that contain the search phrase.
  5. Click on “On-Screen Keyboard” to launch this software product.

Method number 4 - command line

The command line can also help in activating the virtual device to enter the necessary information. How to display the on-screen keyboard on the desktop using the command line:

  1. Activate the command window.
  2. In the command window, click on “Run”.
  3. Enter the file name osk.exe.
  4. Click on the OK button.

Method No. 5 - password entry window

If you have a login password, you can activate the on-screen keypad through the password entry window. In this case, you need to perform the following actions:

  1. In the password entry window, click the “Accessibility” icon attached to the left side of the lower corner.
  2. Check the box for input without a keyboard.
  3. Click “OK”.

After this procedure, a virtual device is opened for insertion Windows information 7.

Important! In the upper corner of the left side you can change the input language.

Windows 8

Due to the change in interface in the Windows 8 operating system, the methods for enabling the on-screen keypad are slightly different from those discussed previously. Let's consider step by step actions required to enable virtual input device in Windows 8.

Method number 1 - Start menu

How to install an on-screen keyboard on a computer in the Windows 8 operating system through the main Start menu:

  1. Click the “Start” button to enter the start screen.
  2. In the lower corner of the left side, click on the arrow that points down.
  3. In the application menu, move to right side, all the way.
  4. Find and open the “On-Screen Keyboard” item.

Method number 2 - control panel

To find required function through the control panel, you must perform the following actions:

  1. Click on the “Start” button.
  2. Click on the arrow and go to the applications menu.
  3. In the list of all installed programs and applications, find the “Control Panel” item and activate it.
  4. On the control panel, in the “View” item, select “Large icons”.
  5. Next, you need to find the “Special Features” element and click on it.
  6. After that, select “Enable on-screen keyboard”.

Method number 3 - search

To activate a virtual input device, you can use the search. To do this you need to do the following:

  1. We call the search using the combination Win keys+ W.
  2. Select the search area “everywhere”.
  3. In the search bar, type “on-screen keyboard” (without quotes).
  4. In the list that appears below, select the element you are looking for.

Method number 4 - password entry window

How to bring the on-screen keyboard to the desktop in Windows 8 through the password window:

  1. In the introduction window correct password When you log in you need to click special icon, located in the corner on the left side.
  2. After this, a menu appears in which you need to click “On-screen keyboard”.

How to start and disable automatic loading of the electronic keyboard when entering the OS?

If you have to use the virtual keypad on permanent basis, then the use of auto-loading windows with electronic keys for entering information is justified. The autoload situation will also be relevant if the password account introduced for the first time.

Let's look at startup options electronic device input when entering operating system:

  1. Using one of the methods described above, we launch the electronic keypad onto the computer screen. At the bottom, press the “parameters” button. Follow the link to control the launch of the virtual keypad when entering the operating system.
  2. Applying method 2 above for Windows 7, 8, go to “ Accessibility” in the control panel.
  3. In the control panel window that opens, check the “use electronic keyboard”.
  4. Press the Enter key.

Important! After performing this procedure, the virtual keypad of the computer on the display screen will be in automatic mode appears every time the operating system boots. When conducting reverse actions At any time, you can turn off the window with on-screen keys for entering information from the Windows startup system.

How to use and configure the virtual keyboard?

We have already dealt with the question of how to install an on-screen keyboard on a computer. Now you need to understand how to use this device. The virtual keypad is controlled using the mouse. The input text must be replaced with a blinking mouse cursor. After this, press the corresponding keys with the left mouse button. By using keyboard shortcuts you can, for example, change the input language on the virtual keypad.

Important! If there are input problems, then you need to familiarize yourself with the materials and find the answer to the question: why did the language disappear? Windows panel or why the input language does not change.

To configure the input format and other parameters, you need to click on the “parameters” button. In this section it is possible to change the following settings:

  • Availability of sound confirmation - each time you press a virtual key, a sound signal will be emitted.
  • Inclusion numeric keypad— the buttons on the right are additionally activated. This option helps you create folders without a name.
  • Keystrokes – pressing the left mouse button causes input.
  • The ability to hover over the keys - a character is entered when the mouse cursor is hovered over the keys, in addition, there is a choice of the possible duration of the hover.
  • Scanning buttons - selecting a range of keys in one line across the entire width, after which, when you press the selected keys, a scanning procedure occurs along the selected line with a smaller range until the corresponding key is pressed. The scanning speed is adjustable.
  • Text prediction - using these options, after typing the first letters, you can use the suggested word options with printed spaces after them.

After changing the parameters, press Enter for them to take effect.

Important! Please note that after pressing Fn, the F1-F12 keys appear instead of numbers. To enable the numeric keypad and be able to apply numbers, you need to press Num Lock.

In the Windows 7, 8 operating system there are practically no differences in the virtual keypad. The exception in Windows 8 is a number additional keys, contributing to improved management. These are the Nav buttons - move, Mv Up - up, Mv Dn - down, Dock - pin, Fade - disappear.

How to remove the on-screen keyboard?

How to remove an electronic keyboard from a computer or laptop screen? To collapse or close this option, there are special buttons, which are located in the upper right corner active window. To do this, you must do any of the following:

  • Click on the collapse button, which is indicated by a straight line. After this, the window with on-screen keys is minimized to enter information into the “Taskbar”, from where, if necessary, it can be easily called up again.
  • Click on the close button, which is indicated by a cross. As a result, the virtual input device program will cease to function and will be closed.

Where can I download an on-screen keyboard for a Windows computer?

In addition to the standard Windows operating system option, there are alternative options virtual devices to enter the required information. Today on the Internet it is presented great amount software products that have functionality windows with on-screen keys for entering information. Let's consider the most optimal options.

Free Virtual Keyboard

One of the unique options is Free version Virtual Keyboard. It has the following characteristics:

  • there is a Russian-language version of the electronic keypad;
  • there is no need to install this version on your computer, and the file size is less than 300 KB;
  • V installation file there are no unnecessary or unwanted software products;
  • free.

Important! This software development copes well with all the assigned tasks. Although, in order to enable the Free Virtual Keyboard by default, instead of the classic one, you need to carefully examine the operating system Windows system. Download software Free Virtual Keyboard is available from its official website.

Touch It Virtual Keyboard

Also very good option is a software development of Touch It Virtual Keyboard.

Important! But it has one significant disadvantage - this is that this program must be purchased with money. Also, by default, Touch It Virtual Keyboard does not provide Russian, so you will have to download a special dictionary, and it is also paid.

Despite all the listed disadvantages, this electronic keypad has wide functionality:

  • allows you to create own versions virtual keypads;
  • allows the integration of created products into the operating system.

Video material

Now you know everything about using the virtual keyboard, and we hope you have learned to use all its capabilities to appreciate the benefits of the program.

No one thinks about how to enable a virtual keyboard on a computer (laptop) on Windows 7 (Windows 8) until problems arise with the real one - the physical one.

There is a reason for this, because the real one is on a “full scale” ( touch screens not meant) will never be able to replace the real one.

I first decided to enable virtual on my laptop when... unknown reason The “Esc” () button stopped working.

The inclusion field immediately saw how many shortcomings it had compared to the physical one. The main thing was “slowness” and inconvenience - however, there was no other way out, I had to “suffer” for some time.

In general, if a real keyboard starts to malfunction, you can use a virtual one for a while, and then you shouldn’t even repair the old one, but immediately buy a new one.

They are not expensive, starting at $10. There is no need to download a virtual keyboard, unless you are satisfied with the standard one that comes with Windows 7 and Windows 8.

Enabling the virtual keyboard on your computer, method one

The first method is the longest and at the same time the most stable. Why? The other two require a working real keyboard, and it may not work for you.

Immediately after this you will see a picture like the screenshot below. Click on the virtual keyboard and it will immediately turn on.

This is the most quick way, you just need two working keys (if they don’t currently work for you, I’m very sorry, especially if it’s a laptop).

Enabling the virtual keyboard - method three

To use the third method, to enable the virtual keyboard on a computer or laptop, in addition to pressing keys, you will need to enter a command.

It is suitable for both Windows 7 and Windows 8. Press the Fn+R keys. A window for entering commands will appear. Paste two words there (without quotes): “osk.exe” and click “OK”.

There is another way: click the “ ” button and enter the word osk.exe in the search bar below.

After this, an icon for launching an on-screen or virtual keyboard will appear at the very top, it’s the same thing.


That's all. I think one of the three described ways to enable a virtual keyboard on a PC will definitely suit you.

Just don’t forget that there is not a “parameters” option (in the bottom row). Using it, you will make your work much easier. Good luck.

Category: Uncategorized