On-Screen Keyboard

How to use on screen keyboard in laptop?

Using the on-screen keyboard on a laptop can be useful in various situations, such as when your physical keyboard is not working correctly or when you want to input text using touch or a stylus.

•  Using the Start Menu

1. Open the Start Menu: Click on the Windows Start button in the bottom-left corner of your screen (or press the Windows key on your physical keyboard).
2. Type “On-Screen Keyboard”: Begin typing “On-Screen Keyboard” in the search bar.
3. Click on “On-Screen Keyboard”: In the search results, you’ll see “On-Screen Keyboard.” Click on it to open the on-screen keyboard.

• Using the System Tray Icon

1. Find the Keyboard Icon in the System Tray: In the bottom-right corner of your screen, near the clock, you’ll see several icons. Look for an icon that resembles a keyboard or a touchpad. It may be hidden under the “^” icon, which reveals additional icons.
2. Click on the Keyboard Icon: Click on the keyboard icon to open the on-screen keyboard.

• Using Cortana/Search Bar (Windows 10)

1. Click on the Cortana/Search Bar: On Windows 10, click on the Cortana/Search bar located next to the Start button.
2. Type “On-Screen Keyboard”: Begin typing “On-Screen Keyboard” in the search bar.
3. Click on “On-Screen Keyboard”: In the search results, you’ll see “On-Screen Keyboard.” Click on it to open the on-screen keyboard.

•  Using Keyboard Shortcut

1. Press Win + Ctrl + O: On some Windows laptops, you can use the keyboard shortcut Win (Windows key) + Ctrl + O to toggle the on-screen keyboard.

Once you have the on-screen keyboard open, you can use it just like a physical keyboard:

• Mouse or Touch Input: Click on the virtual keys with your mouse or use touch input if your laptop has a touchscreen.
• Physical Keyboard: You can still use your physical keyboard while the on-screen keyboard is open. The keys you press on your physical keyboard will input text just like normal.
• Accessibility Options: You can customize the on-screen keyboard through the “Options” button to change settings like layout, size, and more. There are also accessibility features like text prediction and word completion.
• Pen or Stylus Input: If you have a stylus or digital pen, you can use it to write or tap on the virtual keys.
• Voice Typing: On Windows 10 and later, you can use the built-in voice recognition feature by clicking on the microphone icon to dictate text.
• Auto-hide: You can minimize the on-screen keyboard when not in use by clicking the “X” button in the top-right corner or using the minimize button.

Keyboard

Different third-party On-Screen Keyboard software

Certainly, here are  third-party On-Screen Keyboard software programs with details about their features, pros, and cons:

1. Comfort On-Screen Keyboard Pro:

   • Features:
     • Highly customizable keyboard layout, themes, and appearance.
     • Supports multiple languages and layouts.
     • Includes word prediction and auto-correction features.
     • Can be resized and positioned anywhere on the screen.
   • Pros:
     • Extensive customization options.
     • Excellent language support.
     • Word prediction and macro features are beneficial for productivity.
   • Cons:
     • Paid software with a limited free trial period.

2. Hot Virtual Keyboard:

   • Features:
     • Highly customizable keyboard layouts and skins.
     • Supports multiple languages and layouts.
     • Word prediction and auto-correction.
     • Macro support for automating tasks.
   • Pros:
     • Extensive customization options for keyboard appearance.
     • Good language support.
     • Useful for automation with macro functionality.
   • Cons:
     • Paid software with a limited free trial period.

3. Click-N-Type:

   • Features:
     • Simple and easy-to-use interface.
     • Basic keyboard layout customization.
     • Word prediction and abbreviation expansion.
     • Supports multiple languages.
   • Pros:
     • Lightweight and doesn’t require installation.
     • Word prediction and abbreviation expansion are handy for faster typing.
     • Free and open-source software.
   • Cons:
     • Limited customization options compared to paid alternatives.

4. Free Virtual Keyboard:

   • Features:
     • Simple and easy-to-use virtual keyboard.
     • Basic customization options for key size and transparency.
     • Supports multiple languages and layouts.
   • Pros:
     • Lightweight and straightforward.
     • No cost involved; completely free to use.
     • Portable version available for use on different devices.
   • Cons:
     • Limited customization compared to paid alternatives.

5. On-Screen Keyboard Portable:

   • Features:
     • Portable version of the built-in Windows On-Screen Keyboard.
     • Provides basic keyboard functionality.
     • No additional features or customization options.
   • Pros:
     • No installation required.
     • Comes pre-installed on Windows systems.
     • Suitable for basic on-screen keyboard needs.
   • Cons:
     • Limited customization and feature set.

6. GOK (Gnome On-Screen Keyboard):

   • Features:
     • Designed for Linux-based systems, particularly the GNOME desktop environment.
     • Provides on-screen keyboard functionality with basic customization.
     • Accessibility features for users with mobility impairments.
   • Pros:
     • Comes pre-installed with many Linux distributions.
     • Offers essential accessibility features.
   • Cons:
     • Limited customization compared to other third-party options.
     • Primarily intended for Linux systems.

7. AquaSnap Virtual Keyboard:

   • Features:
     • A virtual keyboard that can be customized in terms of size, position, and layout.
     • Supports touch and stylus input.
     • Features resizable buttons.
   • Pros:
     • Highly customizable in terms of appearance and placement.
     • Supports touch and stylus input, making it suitable for tablets and touchscreens.
   • Cons:
     • May lack advanced features found in paid alternatives.

8. Jitbit Virtual Keyboard:

   • Features:
     • Simple virtual keyboard with basic customization options.
     • Supports multiple languages and layouts.
     • Portable and can be run from a USB drive.
   • Pros:
     • Lightweight and easy to use.
     • Offers basic functionality for users who need a straightforward on-screen keyboard.
   • Cons:
     • Limited customization options.
     • Lacks advanced features found in paid software.

9. Touch-It Virtual Keyboard:

   • Features:
     • Highly customizable virtual keyboard with support for multiple languages and layouts.
     • Features an integrated designer for creating custom keyboard layouts.
     • Gesture support for touchscreens.
   • Pros:
     • Extensive customization options.
     • Gesture support for touchscreen devices.
     • Available in both free Lite and paid Pro versions.
   • Cons:
     • May be overwhelming for users who only need basic on-screen keyboard functionality.

10. KeyFreeze:

    • Features:
      • A simple on-screen keyboard that locks your physical keyboard to prevent accidental key presses.
      • Minimal customization options.
    • Pros:
      • Useful for specific scenarios where you need to prevent physical keyboard input temporarily.
    • Cons:
      • Offers very basic functionality.
      • May not be suitable.

The choice of Keyboard software depends on your specific requirements, such as customization options, language support, accessibility features, and your budget.

Also read:Removing Voice From Video