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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsWindows 10 includes a built-in On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) that lets you type with a mouse, touchpad, pen, or other pointing device. You do not need a touchscreen to use it.
You can open it with a keyboard shortcut, Settings, Start search, Control Panel, Run, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or from the Windows sign-in screen. These instructions apply to Windows 10 version 22H2.
Important: The On-Screen Keyboard and the Touch keyboard are different Windows 10 tools. The OSK is the accessibility keyboard with standard keys. The Touch keyboard is the tablet-style keyboard that can appear near the taskbar or when you select a text field.
1. Use the keyboard shortcut
The fastest way to open or close the On-Screen Keyboard is with this shortcut:
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Windows key + Ctrl + O
Press all three keys together. Windows immediately toggles the OSK on or off.
This method requires a working physical keyboard. If yours is unavailable, use a mouse-based method such as Settings, Control Panel, Run, or the sign-in screen.
2. Enable it in Settings
- Select Start, then select Settings.
- Select Ease of Access.
- Select Keyboard in the left pane.
- Under Use the On-Screen Keyboard, turn the switch On.
The OSK opens immediately and stays open until you close it.
For Windows 10, the correct path is Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard. The path Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard belongs to newer Windows versions, including Windows 11, and does not match the Windows 10 menu names.
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3. Search for it from Start
- Select Start.
- Type On-Screen Keyboard.
- Select the On-Screen Keyboard result.
This launches the built-in accessibility keyboard. The search method can be used with a mouse, though entering the search text requires an available input method.
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4. Open it through Control Panel
- Open Control Panel.
- Select Ease of Access.
- Select Ease of Access Center.
- Select Start On-Screen Keyboard.
If Control Panel is using Category view, select Ease of Access first. If it is using Large icons or Small icons view, select Ease of Access Center directly.
5. Launch it from the Run dialog
- Press Windows key + R.
- Enter osk.
- Select OK or press Enter.
Windows resolves osk to the built-in OSK executable. Its full path is C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe.
If the physical keyboard is not working, open Run with the mouse by right-clicking Start and selecting Run.
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- Open Start and search for Command Prompt.
- Select Command Prompt.
- Run osk.exe. The shorter command osk also works.
Administrative elevation is not normally required just to launch the On-Screen Keyboard. The executable is located at C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe.
7. Launch it from PowerShell
- Open Start and search for Windows PowerShell.
- Open Windows PowerShell.
- Run either osk.exe or Start-Process osk.exe.
Both commands start the standard Windows On-Screen Keyboard from the Windows system path.
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8. Open it at the Windows sign-in screen
You can open the OSK before signing in, which is useful when a physical keyboard is unavailable or has stopped working.
- At the Windows 10 sign-in screen, select the Ease of Access button in the lower-right corner.
- Select On-Screen Keyboard.
- Use the displayed keyboard to enter your password or PIN.
This launches the keyboard on the sign-in screen. Opening the OSK after signing in does not necessarily configure it to appear automatically at every future sign-in.
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On-Screen Keyboard versus Touch keyboard
Windows 10 has two similarly named keyboards:
| Feature | On-Screen Keyboard | Touch keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Accessibility and alternative input | Touch and tablet-style typing |
| Touchscreen required | No | Usually used with touch, but can also be opened with a mouse |
| Typical appearance | Full keyboard window with standard keys | Keyboard panel near the taskbar or text-entry area |
| Main settings path | Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard | Settings > Devices > Typing |
How to show the Touch keyboard button
If you meant the tablet-style Touch keyboard rather than the accessibility OSK, use these steps:
- Right-click an empty area of the taskbar.
- Select Show touch keyboard button.
- Select the keyboard icon in the notification area.
To configure automatic Touch keyboard behavior, go to Start > Settings > Devices > Typing. Under Touch keyboard, enable Show the touch keyboard when not in tablet mode and there’s no keyboard attached.
This setting controls the Touch keyboard. It does not replace the OSK setting under Ease of Access > Keyboard.
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Common problems and misleading advice
You do not need a touchscreen
The OSK can be controlled with a mouse, pen, joystick, switch device, or another pointing device. A touchscreen is optional.
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The taskbar keyboard icon may open the wrong keyboard
The icon added with Show touch keyboard button opens the Touch keyboard. It does not necessarily open the traditional accessibility OSK. Use the shortcut, Start search, Settings, or osk.exe when you specifically need the OSK.
The OSK does not normally appear every time you select a text box
The accessibility OSK remains open after you launch it until you close it. Automatic appearance near text fields is mainly associated with the Touch keyboard and depends on settings such as tablet mode, whether a physical keyboard is attached, and the Touch keyboard configuration.
Closing it does not reset its layout
The OSK retains its last-used General or Nav layout. If the keys do not look as expected, select General or Nav on the keyboard to switch layouts.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which method should you use?
| Situation | Best method |
|---|---|
| Physical keyboard works | Windows key + Ctrl + O |
| You can use the mouse but want a graphical setting | Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard |
| You want the quickest menu-based method | Start search for On-Screen Keyboard |
| You are troubleshooting Windows tools | Run, Command Prompt, or PowerShell with osk.exe |
| You cannot type at the sign-in screen | Ease of Access > On-Screen Keyboard |
| You want a tablet-style keyboard | Enable Show touch keyboard button |
Windows 10 reached end of support on October 14, 2025. Existing LTSC editions follow separate support lifecycles, but the steps above apply to the mainstream Windows 10 version 22H2 release.
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FAQ
Does Windows 10 have an On-Screen Keyboard?
Yes. Windows 10 includes the built-in On-Screen Keyboard, or OSK. You can open it with Windows key + Ctrl + O, Settings, Start search, Control Panel, Run, Command Prompt, PowerShell, or the sign-in screen.
What is the command to open the On-Screen Keyboard in Windows 10?
Enter osk or osk.exe in the Run dialog, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. The executable is located at C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe.
Why does the keyboard icon on my taskbar open a different keyboard?
The taskbar icon added with Show touch keyboard button opens the Touch keyboard, not necessarily the accessibility On-Screen Keyboard. Use osk.exe or the Ease of Access settings to open the OSK.
Can I use the Windows 10 On-Screen Keyboard without a touchscreen?
Yes. The OSK works with a mouse, pen, joystick, switch device, or another pointing device. A touchscreen is not required.
How do I open the On-Screen Keyboard before signing in?
At the Windows sign-in screen, select the Ease of Access button in the lower-right corner and then select On-Screen Keyboard.
The Bottom Line
For most situations, press Windows key + Ctrl + O. If the physical keyboard is unavailable, enable Settings > Ease of Access > Keyboard > Use the On-Screen Keyboard, or run osk.exe. Use the taskbar keyboard icon only when you specifically want the separate Touch keyboard.
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