Switching between keyboard layouts might seem trivial, but for millions of users—from British expats using American computers to programmers needing the UK layout for specific symbols—it is essential. The difference between a US and a UK keyboard goes beyond just the "£" sign. The @ and " keys are swapped, the # key moves, and the Enter key is shaped differently (though the key shape is hardware, the layout is software).
After following these steps, test the following keys on your keyboard. If they produce the correct characters, you have successfully changed from US to UK: how to change keyboard from us to uk windows 11
The US keyboard layout, also known as the QWERTY layout, is the default setting on many Windows 11 devices. However, for users in the UK or those who prefer the UK keyboard layout, some keys are in different positions, which can cause confusion and errors while typing. The UK keyboard layout, also known as the QWERTZ layout, has the "£" symbol on the "3" key, the "@" symbol on the "2" key, and different punctuation marks. Changing the keyboard layout to UK can improve typing efficiency and accuracy. How to Change Keyboard from US to UK
English (United Kingdom).Windows Key + Spacebar. A small overlay window will appear allowing you to toggle between "English (United States)" and "English (United Kingdom)."This will show you your current language profiles and their associated keyboard layouts. Under the Languages section, click Add a language
Author: Technical Documentation Unit
Date: April 2026
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 11 (23H2 and later)
Objective: To provide a clear, repeatable method for switching the active keyboard input language and layout from United States (US QWERTY) to United Kingdom (UK QWERTY) on Windows 11.