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How do I open the windows handwriting panel on windows 11?

Anonymous
2024-08-28T22:44:15+00:00

I am using a Surface Pro 11th Edition running Windows 11 with a Surface Slim Pen 2.

In the past, when the keyboard was not connected, any time I went to input text, the handwriting panel would appear and I could input text through that.

Now, instead of the handwriting panel, the touch keyboard appears. I have seen that the settings icon appearing on the touch keyboard should allow me to change to handwriting, but that option does not appear for me.

I cannot figure out any way to access the handwriting panel any more, but would like to. Does anyone have any idea as to how I can fix this?

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-08-29T00:24:37+00:00

    Hello,

    Try following these steps to resolve your issue,

    1: Enable Handwriting Input:

    • Go to Settings > Time & language > Typing > Touch keyboard. Scroll down and toggle on Handwriting under "Show the handwriting panel when not in tablet mode and there's no keyboard attached."
    • Activate the Handwriting Input Option: In the Touch Keyboard section, ensure that Show touch keyboard when there's no keyboard attached is turned on. Tap in a text field, and the keyboard should appear. Look for a small keyboard icon in the bottom-right corner of the touch keyboard. Click it and select the handwriting option (pen icon).

    Step 2: Manually Open the Handwriting Panel

    • Open Handwriting Panel via Taskbar: Right-click on the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Scroll down to the Pen menu section, and toggle on Show pen menu. A pen icon will now appear on your taskbar. Click on it, and you should see options, including the handwriting panel.

    If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

    Thank you.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-08-29T08:05:10+00:00

    Hello Athena,

    Welcome to Microsoft Community.

    In general, you can right-click on the taskbar (in the keyno-state, it is equivalent to holding the taskbar with your finger for a second), then click on the Taskbar Settings, you will see Personalisation > Taskbar, in the system through the ah chart, please set "Touch keyboard" to "Always", you will see a virtual keyboard icon in the taskbar.

    If you tap on it with your finger to display a touch keyboard, you should see a gear icon in the top left corner:

    Please click on it and then click on "Hand writing" to switch to the writing pad:

    But if you are currently experiencing some problems, can you take a screenshot to confirm what is going on?

    Best Regards,

    Mitchell | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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