Creating a second virtual keyboard on Windows 7. Free Virtual Keyboard application. Where is the virtual keyboard located?

IN computer systems The Windows line has such an interesting tool as the on-screen keyboard. Let's see what options there are to launch it in Windows 7.

There may be several reasons to launch the on-screen or, as it is otherwise called, virtual keyboard:

• Failure of the physical analogue;
• Limited user capabilities (for example, problems with finger dexterity);
• Working on a tablet;
• To protect against keyloggers when entering passwords and other confidential data.

The user can choose whether to use the built-in Windows virtual keyboard, or refer to similar products third party developers. But even running the standard screen Windows keyboard possible using different methods.

Method 1: Third Party Programs

First of all, let's focus on launching using third-party programs. In particular, let's consider one of the most famous applications of this direction – Free Virtual Keyboard, let's study the nuances of its installation and launch. There are download options for this application in 8 languages, including Russian.

1. After downloading, run the program installation file. The installer's welcome window opens. Click "Further".



2. The next window prompts you to select a folder for installation. By default this is the folder « Program Files» on disk C. These settings should not be changed unless absolutely necessary. So press "Further".



3. Now you need to assign a folder name in the menu "Start". The default is "Free Virtual Keyboard". Of course, if the user wants, he can change this name to another, but there is rarely a practical need for this. If you don’t want it on the menu at all "Start" If this item was present, then in this case you need to check the box next to the parameter "Don't create a folder in the Start menu". Click "Further".



4. The next window asks you to create a program icon on your desktop. To do this, check the box next to “Create an icon on the desktop”. However, this checkbox is already checked by default. But if you do not want to create an icon, then in this case you need to remove it. After making a decision and performing the necessary manipulations, press "Further".



5. After this, a final window opens, where all the basic installation settings are indicated based on the data that was entered earlier. If you decide to change any of them, then click "Back" and make the necessary adjustments. Otherwise, press "Install".



6. The Free Virtual Keyboard installation process is in progress.



7. After it is completed, a window opens indicating the successful completion of the procedure. By default, this box has checkboxes next to the items And “Free Virtual Keyboard website on the Internet”. If you do not want the program to be launched immediately or do not want to visit the official website of the application through a browser, then in this case uncheck the corresponding item. Then press "Complete".



8. If in the previous window you left a tick next to the item "Launch Free Virtual Keyboard", then in this case the on-screen keyboard will launch automatically.



9. But on subsequent launches you will have to activate it manually. The activation algorithm will depend on what settings you made when installing the application. If you have allowed the creation of a shortcut in the settings, then to launch the application you will only need to left-click on it ( LMB) twice.



10. If the installation of an icon in the Start menu was allowed, then to launch you need to perform the following manipulations. Click "Start". Go to "All programs".



11. Mark the folder "Free Virtual Keyboard".



12. In this folder, click on the name "Free Virtual Keyboard", then virtual keyboard will be launched.



13. But even if you have not installed program icons either in the Start menu or on the desktop, you can launch Free Virtual Keyboard by directly clicking on its executable file. Default this file is located at the following address:

    C:\Program Files\FreeVK

    If you changed the installation location when installing the program, then in this case required file will be located in the directory you specified. Go to that folder using Explorer and find the object "FreeVK.exe". To launch the virtual keyboard, double-click on it LMB.

Method 2: Start Menu

But install third party programs not at all necessary. For many users, the functionality provided by the built-in Windows tool 7 – “ Screen keyboard" You can run it different ways. One of them is to use the same Start menu, which was discussed above.

Method 3: “Control Panel”

You can also access the On-Screen Keyboard through the Control Panel.

Method 4: Run window

You can also open the desired tool by entering an expression in the “Run” window.

Method 5: Search the Start Menu

You can also enable the tool we study in this article by searching in the Start menu.

Method 6: Directly Run the Executable File

The on-screen keyboard can be opened by directly launching executable file, going to the directory of its location using Explorer.

Method 7: Launch from the address bar

You can also launch the on-screen keyboard by entering the address of the location of its executable file in the address field of Explorer.

Method 8: Create a shortcut

Convenient access to launching the On-Screen Keyboard can be organized by creating a corresponding shortcut on the desktop.

As you can see, there are quite a few ways to launch the On-Screen Keyboard built into Windows 7. Those users who are not satisfied with its functionality for some reason have the opportunity to install an analogue from a third-party developer.

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 operating system Windows, therefore, 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.
• Find the object “Center” special features”, we 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

You can also help in activating the virtual device to enter the necessary information. command line. How to bring the on-screen keyboard to 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 top corner on 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 application 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 logging into the 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. Using method 2 described above for Windows 7, 8, go to “Ease of Access” 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 computer's virtual keypad on the display screen will be 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 it disappear? Language bar Windows 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, promoting 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 Windows operating system. Download software Free Virtual Keyboard is possible 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.

The on-screen keyboard in Windows is a useful alternative to its physical counterpart. It can be downloaded and installed from third-party sites, or you can use the utility built into the OS. The last option is more logical and is recommended. If there is a virtual keyboard in our system (by various reasons) no, we will give examples of free and simple programs, performing the same functions.

How to display the keyboard on the screen in Windows 8

Because this version operating system involved interaction with touch screens; its virtual keyboard was built into software package default and optimized for performance accordingly. To enable it:

• Open “All applications” (from home screen Click on the round indicator below and on the left side).
• Go to the “Special Features” section.
• Select “On-screen keyboard” from the list.
• For quick search just type part of the phrase “On-screen keyboard” from the start screen.
• In the search results, click on the desired item (suitable for those who have a regular keyboard).
• Another working alternative: go to the “Control Panel” and here select “Accessibility”, in them – “Enable on-screen keyboard”.

The user has the ability to automatically display the virtual keyboard on the screen after each reboot (also when entering the username/password for the account). To do this, go to “Control Panel” -> “Accessibility”, and then select “Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard”. Here we click on the line “Use on-screen keyboard”, confirm the action with the “Ok” button. In the menu on the left, move to the “Change login options” option and note that we want to use the virtual keyboard when logging into the OS.

How to display the keyboard on the screen in Windows 10

In “Ten” it’s even easier to use the on-screen keyboard. To display it on the screen, right-click on empty space taskbar, from context menu Select “Show touch keyboard button”. A corresponding icon will appear in the tray, clicking on which will open or close the desired utility. If the first method does not work, do the following:

• open “Start” -> “Settings” (or press Win + I);
• select “Special Features”;
• go to the “Keyboard” section and activate “Enable on-screen keyboard”;
• It is no less convenient to use the osk command entered in the “Run” field (Win + R);
• or launch the “Ease of Access Center” using the Win+U combination to quick access to the switching point.

If the on-screen keyboard doesn't turn on

Depending on the installed assembly, the virtual keyboard may not be in its usual place. For Windows 7:

• go to “Control Panel” -> “Programs and Features”;
• on the left select “List installed components Windows”;
• open “Turn components on or off”;
• leave a checkmark in the box next to the line “Tablet PC components”;
• After this action, the keyboard will be turned on using the methods described in the article.

To enable the on-screen keyboard on the login screen, simply click on the “Accessibility” button.

In Windows 7, the utility is called by analogy with the method described for Windows 8. Among alternative programs for PC you should pay attention to Free Virtual Keyboard or Touch It Virtual Keyboard.

The onscreen keyboard can be the best way entering information if using a physical keyboard is difficult for one reason or another. She looks just like the custom one. Letters can be selected using the mouse, switch or joystick.

There are several situations where an on-screen keyboard can come in handy, with three of the most common reasons being:

1. Some keys on your physical keyboard do not work, this often happens after water has entered it, especially on a laptop where changing it can be difficult.
2. The physical keyboard stopped working completely. This happens due to problems with drivers and viruses.
3. You need . Even if it works, enter text on foreign language, from a physical keyboard, which is signed only in Cyrillic and Latin, is extremely difficult. In this case, this utility will greatly simplify working with your computer.

This does not mean that you will have to use it constantly, but it is quite possible to wait for some time before repairs.

Enable the on-screen keyboard

Step 1. Open the Start menu by clicking on the button of the same name, Windows key or Ctrl + Esc. Open Control Panel.

Step 2. Go to the "Accessibility" section. This section contains links to help you make changes to your computer settings for more convenient use. Changes you make to your computer settings will be saved, so your computer will be easier to use the next time you log on.

You can also use these tools to undo any changes you've made and go back to initial settings computer.

Step 3. Go to the “Ease of Access Center” section.

Go to the “Ease of Access Center” section

Step 4. In the Ease of Access Center menu, click on the Turn On On-Screen Keyboard button.

Click on the “Enable on-screen keyboard” button

As soon as you press this button, a keyboard will appear on the screen. You can use it immediately, but you can also make some changes.

Step 5. If you look closely, you will notice two special buttons in the lower right corner. These are the Options and Help buttons. Click on the first one to make personal changes.

There are two input methods:

• input by clicking a mouse button;
• input by hovering the cursor and holding it in one position.

For the second case, you need to set up an individual one. This is convenient when working on a laptop without a mouse.

You can also configure this using a keyboard shortcut:

1. "Alt"+"C" to enter each individual character by clicking the mouse.
2. "Alt"+"H" to access the keyboard using a mouse or other pointing device, hovering over a character to enter it.
3. "Alt" + "S" to access the keyboard using the spacebar, switch, or gamepad.

Step 6. Once your keyboard is set up, you can pin it to the taskbar for quicker and easier access.

Third-party programs for controlling the keyboard from a computer

Standard utility Windows convenient an application that allows you to cope with management, but this is not the only development. There are a lot of them, and each of them has its own own advantages and disadvantages.

Note! Be careful with the apps you use. Trust only trusted developers, and, of course, if possible, from Windows, to protect yourself from the machinations of attackers.

So, a broken physical keyboard is not a problem; this problem can be solved in two clicks. Use one of the proposed methods, and then you will, without much difficulty, wait for the day when your physical keyboard will be repaired.

Video - How to enable the on-screen keyboard on Windows 7

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 more protected against spyware than the standard one.

Keyboard in Windows 7

For the seventh generation operating room Microsoft systems the most familiar and simplest way to call a utility that allows you to enter characters using the mouse or touch screen– login through the “Special Features” 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 system 8 was immediately developed taking into account the possibility of using 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 Alternative option from the Internet.

Free Virtual Keyboard

Free utility Free Virtual Keyboard does not require installation on your computer, has the 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