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
    2013-10-25T11:13:59+00:00

    +1 Ian's problem. Just spent half hour wondering why the admin password wasn't correct on some servers after RDP'ing into them. Thanks to the "/@ switch on US/UK layout.

    A solution would be useful, my symptoms are exactly as Ian describes on Win 8.1 Pro.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-11-01T22:26:42+00:00

    Does going into Control Panel, then Language, then putting the language you want on top of the list help?

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-11-01T06:47:12+00:00

    Are you Mods just going to abandon this thread without helping us all to get a resolution to the Language Issues?

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-26T12:39:42+00:00

    Also i feel ashamed that a company that boasts of having the best minds in its workforce delivers products which are basically flawed.

    i recently downloaded skype and i was forced to tie it with my microsoft account. hardly a way to get out and you get trapped as if you opt out your subscription and contacts get erased.

    shame on you microsoft. dont arm twist people - soon you will vanish! treat your customers with respect and care!

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