Virtual Keyboard always on top instead of docked

Anonymous
2015-08-16T15:02:46+00:00

Split from this thread.

The new virtual keyboard is a mess.  I never really thought about it in W8.1; would just start typing.  In W10, I hate it.

And it's not just a matter of getting used to something new.

You can make the keyboard pop up.  There is a setting under Devices.  In the search window, search for TYPING.  The top line looks like a heading, but it is really a choice.  It just says TYPING SETTINGS. Choose it.

Near the bottom of the options there is one that allows, "Automatically show the touch keyboard in windowed apps..."

Keep in mind that the behavior is different whether you are in TABLET mode or not. (Which is yet ANOTHER annoying feature designed to help)

Finally, perhaps the biggest problem is that the keyboard does not clip into the screen, but instead stays on top.  This means it will effectively cover many of the text fields when you are trying to type. This is absolutely UNBELIEVABLE! It is hard to understand how anyone could make this on purpose. It is highly unusable.

And of course they didn't seem to anticipate that the keys on the far right of the keyboard will be pressed from time to time and are in the same area as the touch zone of the swipe from right.  so often as I am typing the ACTION CENTER will appear.  Grrrrr....

Surface | Surface Headphones | Touch and gestures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

15 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-08-19T19:31:30+00:00

    Unfortunately it seems that Microsoft chose to remove this feature and force both the TK and OSK to float over other windows even when they are "docked".

    Earlier thread on this topic

    Thanks... this makes sense.

    The explanation, that is, makes sense.

    Microsoft's rationale, however, is a complete mystery.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-08-19T19:29:00+00:00

    Clear as mud... so now we have TK, OSK, and now TIP?  ;-o

    I just touch on a text input field and a keyboard appears.  Not sure if it's TK, OSK, TIP, or EIEIO.

    Of course, appreciate you sticking with the thread.  Thanks.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-08-19T18:29:08+00:00

    https://social.technet.microsoft.com/forums/windows/en-US/77791c30-04d0-4164-8cf8-868b9a45c2cb/dock-in-on-screen-keyboard

    (BING search for

        TIP OSK TK

    )

    Now I won't have to repeat myself.   I even explained what Run... means.  <eg>

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-08-18T23:11:19+00:00

    Here is an example.  I hit REPLY.

    Have you tried undocking and docking?  Also try your example with Edge instead of IE.  I saw your problem symptom with IE, e.g. where I had to orient it in various ways but with Edge it came up the way you would like (at least with the TK in Handwriting mode at the bottom <eg>).

    In fact, I think it is inconsistent, even when trying examples.  This morning I thought I had found a case where I could not use the TK but had to use the OSK.  I thought it was for starting a Search from the Taskbar but I tried it again just now and the TK moved in a way that you would approve of, under the Search bar, with that GUI pushed up.  I did that using both Touch and Pen since others have noticed that the TK configuration changes accordingly, i.e. Standard keyboard with Touch, Handwriting input with Pen, and it worked the same way.  YMMV (I'm sure.)

    Robert

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-08-18T20:43:10+00:00

    MikeR_248,

    Great catch and suggestion. The title of this thread has now been modified.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments