Share via

language and keyboard layout keeps changing

Anonymous
2015-07-20T05:12:59+00:00

Hi,

I did read through a lot of forum posts but nothing really seems to help for this slightly annoying problem.

I have 2 PCs and 1 surface tablet. They all run windows 8.1 but one of the PCs has a Germany IBM keyboard attached while the other PC has a US keyboard. I use a German keyboard because it has special characters that English keyboards don't have in case I want to write something in my native language. I live in Australia so I install the English version of every application or for windows.

I log into all 3 computers with the same credentials. Almost every time I use any of them the keyboard and language settings are almost randomly changed to something not very helpful for this computer. Windows even added a third layout (US, US) which I can't remember to have chosen by myself.

I thought it might have to do with using the same account on different PC's. So I set the advanced settings for each computer to override "the default" input method or language. This didn't help. It still switches language and keyboard constantly. Where does windows get "the default" from? From my account I log in with? Is this a restriction in my account? Can I only  choose one input method for all computers I work for or do I have to change this every time I use another computer if they have different keyboards attached?

I don't really understand the idea behind this. Why would I want to use a German keyboard layout on a PC that has a US keyboard attached. Does Microsoft assume that we bring our keyboard to every PC we use? I understand that this could be helpful for tablets with no physical keyboard. But for a PC with a physical keyboard attached it doesn't make any sense.

Or do I miss something here. How can I make the PC not care about what keyboard I have attached to another PC?

Thanks

Stefan

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

6 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2016-01-26T13:31:27+00:00

    I've solved it.

    Settings - Accounts - Sync your settings - turn off "Language preferences"

    Surely it should have been off by default.

    Was this answer helpful?

    4 people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-04T16:07:04+00:00

    I am experiencing the same problem with my two different PC's, one bought from the US and one from Germany. Which means I have one US keyboard layout and one German keyboard layout. If I'm logged in from the German-layout PC I have to switch the keyboard to German; than say if I log in to the other (USA) PC afterwards (after logging out from the German one) then I have to set the US keyboard. Apparently my Outlook account uses same keyboard layout one I select from either of the PC, also on the one which is using the other one. I couldn't find any selection on the net about this.

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2016-01-26T13:27:39+00:00

    Has anyone solved this?

    I have exactly the same problem - UK laptop and US keyboard on desktop.

    I can change it manually on the language notification icon but it is annoying.

    If anybody has a solution please let us know.

    Tim.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2015-07-21T04:14:52+00:00

    Hi Ramesh,

    Thanks for your reply, but I tried your suggestions already. Having it set per application would make it even more confusing because I would need to change it for each application I use (eg. Internet explorer, mail, office etc.) on every device. I need it too be set per PC and not per application.

    I think it started with windows 8.1 being used on all 3 computers now and logging on with the same profile everywhere. When I had windows 7 installed on my PC #1 with the German keyboard attached and logged on with a local profile it did not change unless I wanted to.

    The problem seems to be that I have a PC with a German keyboard attached and another PC plus a surface tablet with an US keyboard. I use the same login for all three machines.

    So after I use the surface tablet it looks like my other PC with the German keyboard attached is set to US keyboard layout and the other way around.

    Is there a way to disable this functionality? I *always* use the German keyboard on PC #1 while I use US keyboards on the other 2 machines. All 3 machines have English as the main language set and that's fine.

    Is there a way to disable the automatic language change? The settings seem to be saved in my windows login profile (@live.com).

    Thanks

    Stefan

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2015-07-21T03:26:36+00:00

    Hello Stefan,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

    I can imagine the inconvenience you are experiencing and will certainly help you in the right direction to fix the issue. However, I would appreciate if you could answer a few questions to narrow down the issue in order to provide you with better assistance.

    1. From how many days you are facing issue?
    2. Did you make any significant changes prior to the issue?
    3. Do you have any security software installed?

    As per the issue description keyboard and language settings are get randomly changed. This issue may occur due to incorrect language settings. So, I would suggest you to try the steps provided below and see if it helps.

    Method 1If the issue persists, I would suggest you set a different input method for the programs that are causing issue and check if it helps.

    a) Press the ‘Windows + X’ key on the keyboard.

    b) Type Control Panel and click on Enter.

    c) Select Clock, language and region.

    d) Click on Language.

    e) Click on Advanced settings.

    f) Put check mark for "Let me set a different input method for each app windows" under Switching input methods.

    g) Click on Save and then try to play the games again.

    Method 2

    If the issue persists, I would suggest you to make the keyboard layout as default and check if it helps.

    Add a keyboard layout

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-IN/windows-8/change-keyboard-layout

    Note: Refer to the section "To make a keyboard your default keyboard".

    Hope this would help. If issue still persists post back with current status of your computer and result of the proposed suggestion, we will be happy to assist you.

    Regards,

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments