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

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
Answer accepted by question author
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.

Was this answer helpful?

9 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

70 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2014-10-27T22:43:05+00:00

    When I read your line about Windows Key and Space I thought I'd try it. Pop up offering US or UK. Clicked cursor on UK and all was well. Tried lots of variations on "How do I get my UK keyboard back?" went through half an hour of pages. Perhaps Microsoft could stick an option on keyboards in the control panel to save us the hassle next time. Would make things a lot easier.

    Thanks for the lead.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2014-10-20T16:34:05+00:00

    Yep, same problem! Fixed it by adding UK Extended Keyboard input method to the UK Language pack. I was then able to remove the U.S keyboard.  I followed this with a restart and "hey presto".

    Thanks so much for your response you have been most helpful I will take your advice have a great day! :)

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-05T00:36:35+00:00

    Yep, same problem! Fixed it by adding UK Extended Keyboard input method to the UK Language pack. I was then able to remove the U.S keyboard.  I followed this with a restart and "hey presto".

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Deleted

    This answer has been deleted due to a violation of our Code of Conduct. The answer was manually reported or identified through automated detection before action was taken. Please refer to our Code of Conduct for more information.

    Comments have been turned off. Learn more