Facing an onscreen keyboard while using a Windows 10 PC? Does it open randomly or while using a certain app? These questions will identify solutions that will help you get rid of that virtual or on-screen keyboard completely.
Touchscreen laptop users aren’t the only ones encountering this error. Others have reported witnessing the onscreen keyboard notification in their system tray or Windows lock screen. There are several ways to fix this annoying feature.
Let’s start.
1. Remove from System Tray
Did you notice the onscreen keyboard icon in the System Tray area? Right-click anywhere on the Taskbar and deselect Show touch keyboard button.
This will disable and hide the onscreen keyboard and also protect you from accidental clicks that enable it.
2. Ease of Access Center
Microsoft offers several ways to use Windows 10 computers for people with different abilities. Some of these paths are available in the Ease of Access Center. One such feature is the on-screen keyboard option.
Stage 1: Open the start menu and search for ‘Ease of Access Keyboard Settings’ and open it.
Step 2: Disable the ‘Use On-Screen Keyboard’ option and restart the computer if necessary.
Check if you still encounter the onscreen keyboard while using the computer in the same scenario.
Did you notice the useful keyboard shortcut (Windows key+Ctrl+O) mentioned below the setting? Use it to activate the setting if you need it quickly.
3. On-Screen Keyboard Settings
Do not close the onscreen keyboard on your computer the next time you turn it on.
Stage 1: Click the Options button.
Step 2: Click on ‘Check if On-Screen Keyboard starts when I sign in’ in blue ink.
Stage 3: Uncheck ‘Use On-Screen Keyboard’ and save everything.
4. Touch Keyboard Service
Follow these steps only if the above solution did not work for you. This will disable all touch related apps on your computer. Use accordingly. The good news is that you can take the same steps to reverse the effects.
Stage 1: Search for Services in the start menu and open it.
Step 2: Double click on ‘Touch Keyboard and Handwriting Panel Service’ and select Disabled next to Startup type under the General tab.
Stage 3: Save the changes and check again.
5. Recently Installed App
Have you installed an app like AirDisplay lately? This may be why you’re suddenly seeing the onscreen keyboard popping up here and there. One way to speed up your memory is to open Control Panel and search for Uninstall a program.
Here you can sort apps by name or date.
Check if there is an application responsible for the behavior. If yes, change the settings to stop it or uninstall the app and find an alternative.
For people who initially display the onscreen keyboard on the login screen, disable startup tasks. You do not need to uninstall the application.
You can also open the Task Manager and check (press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open it) to see if there is an application that should not be running. All running applications are listed under the Processes tab.
If you are sure that this is the application responsible for the onscreen keyboard popups but you cannot find it, try a clean boot of Windows 10.
6. Remote Desktop Application
RDP or remote desktop application can trigger the onscreen keyboard application. Check if such an app or browser extension is enabled. Some popular examples are Team Viewer and Chrome Remote Desktop.
7. Registry Hack
Stage 1: Search for and open Registry Editor from the start menu.
Step 2: Examine the folder structure below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Authentication\LogonUI
Stage 3: Locate the ShowTabletKeyboard file on the right, double click to open it and enter the Hexadecimal Value as 0 (zero). Save everything and reboot if prompted.
8. Use Restore Point
Windows 10 comes with a feature called Restore Point where it creates a regular backup of your computer. Backups are usually taken when the system sees that everything is working as it should.
Check the date on your last restore point and restore it if you didn’t encounter the onscreen keyboard popup error. You won’t lose any data except newly installed apps that you can always reinstall. The transaction is safe but irreversible.
everyone on board
I think what pisses users off is that the onscreen keyboard usually stays above the open window. The on-screen keyboard option is a feature used by some people. He’s there for a reason, and hating him won’t destroy him. I hope one of the above solutions worked for you. If you found another way to fix it, let us know in the comments section below.
Next: These Windows 10 keyboard shortcuts will boost your user experience and make you faster and better at using your own computer. Click the link below to learn more.