Windows 11 keeps automatically adding a "ghost" keyboard layout based on my region

Question

Hello,

I am facing a persistent issue with Windows 11 where a local keyboard layout is automatically added to my language switcher every day, even though it is not listed in my Language & Region settings.

The Problem: My setup is multi-lingual: I use English as my display language and keep two primary layouts (English International and my native language). However, Windows detects my current physical location and automatically adds the local language of my country of residence to the taskbar switcher.

The "Ghost" Behavior:

• The layout appears in the Taskbar language list (Win+Space).

When I go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, the layout is missing from the list.

To remove it, I have to manually "Add" that language in Settings and then "Remove" it immediately. Only then does it disappear from the switcher.

This repeats every time I reboot or after some time during the day.

What I’ve tried:

Contacted Microsoft Support: They suggested a clean reinstall of Windows. I have already dismissed this because the exact same behavior occurs on my second laptop with a fresh Windows installation.

I am looking for a way to permanently disable this automatic layout injection. I want Windows to stick strictly to the list of languages I have manually selected.

Is there a Registry key or a Group Policy setting to prevent Windows from "helping" me with regional keyboard layouts?

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi Mykhailo Saigak,

Thank you for reaching out and for clearly explaining the behavior you’re seeing. In multi‑language setups, Windows may periodically synchronize input settings across different system contexts (such as the sign‑in screen, system services, or applications). When these contexts are not fully aligned, an additional keyboard layout can temporarily appear in the language switcher, even if it is not listed in Language & Region settings.

To help keep Windows using only the keyboard layouts you’ve explicitly selected, please try the following targeted workarounds:

1, Sync language settings system‑wide

• Open Control Panel > Clock and Region > Region > Administrative tab
• Select Copy settings…
• Check both Welcome screen and system accounts and New user accounts
• Apply changes and restart

2, Disable per‑app input switching

• Go to Settings > Time & language > Typing
• Open Advanced keyboard settings
• Turn off Let me set a different input method for each app window

3, Review Office language preferences (if applicable)

• Open Word or Excel > File > Options > Language
• Remove any editing languages you do not actively use
• Restart the device

If the layout continues to reappear, an advanced registry cleanup related to language indexing may help. This should be done carefully and only after backing up the registry.

Let me know if you need further assistance, feel free to ask me by clicking "Add Comment" or "Add Answer" if you cannot add comment so your response will be visible. Thanks for your effort.

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Answer 2

Open the old Control Panel

At the top of Control Panel, set View to Icons

Select Region

Select the Administrative Tab on the resulting dialog

Click Change System Locale in the 'Language for non-Unicode Programs' section

Set the language in the drop down to the same as the System location/Language

Restart (not shut down) the PC.

.

Open the Settings App, then go to Time & language - Language & region

Scroll down to the 'Additional Settings' Section.

Click the Copy button on both settings in that section.

Restart (not shut down) the PC