Can't set Windows 8.1 to use a UK Keyboard and English (United Kingdom) as Language Preference

Anonymous
2013-10-20T14:43:22+00:00

Downloaded and installed the UK (English) Language Pack. Can't set Windows 8.1 to use a UK Keyboard. Try to change Languages Preferences to English (United Kingdom)  - and 8.1 won't let you. Try to remove English (United States) and 8.1 won't let you. English (United States) keeps coming back.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2013-11-13T17:18:56+00:00

I was getting this problem. On one of my accounts it appeared to be using the keyboard set to US English. No amount of changing settings to set it use the UK English keyboard layout worked. If I tried Windows Key + Space nothing happened happened - no selections appeared for choosing the desired keyboard. There was no language icon on the taskbar.

I added the UK English language pack and set the preferred language to UK English via Control Panel, Then via the Charms settings/PC Settings/Change PC Settings/Time and Language/Region and Language.

Selected 'Options' for UK English and Added the UK Extended Keyboard.

After that I could use Windows Key + Space to select the UK keyboard.

To be honest, I have no idea why that worked or which was the critical step. The other account on the PC did not of this problem. I assume I must have missed something when setting the new account.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-11-14T12:02:18+00:00

    I'd like to thank Windows again for another stellar release. I love having my keyboard layout changed behind my back. Can you use some butter or something next time you do me so hard MS.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-10T09:01:16+00:00

    Yes same issue here. Interestingly it works fine when logged into a domain account but doesn't when I login using a Windows Live account that I've added to the laptop since upgrading to 8.1

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-05T15:53:02+00:00

    Hi Sue

    Naaaa - even with English(UK) at the top (in Control Panel/Language) the Keyboard remains English(US). Even setting English(US) to use a UK Keyboard Layout does not work. It is impossible (to me at least) to get anything other than an English(US) Keyboard.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-26T12:37:22+00:00

    i  gave up and reverted back to windows 8 and it is fine. 

    Since there is hardly any support from microsoft (and a solution that works) it will be better to revert back to your version of windows.

    Microsoft products give lot of problems nowaday - not sure what is happening with this company

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