Computers have several different types of keyboards. The most common type is a physical external keyboard that plugs into your computer. While Windows 10 has a touch keyboard, it also has a built-in, easy-to-use tool called the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK), which can replace a physical keyboard to move around or enter text on a computer screen.
Using the OSK does not require a touch screen. It shows a visual keyboard with all the standard keys, so you can use a mouse or other pointing device to select keys, or use a physical single key or set of keys to cycle through on-screen keys.
When the OSK is turned on, a keyboard appears on the screen that can be used to move around and enter text on the screen. The keyboard will remain on the screen until you dismiss it.
With the OSK open, you can click the Options key and select the desired option:
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Use Key Tone - Use this option if you want to hear a sound when you press a key.
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Show keys to make it easier to move around the screen - Use this option if you want keys to light up as you type.
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Open Numeric Keypad - Use this option to expand the OSK to reveal the numeric keypad.
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Click Buttons - Use this mode if you like to tap or tap on-screen buttons to enter text.
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Hover over keys - Use this mode if you are using a mouse or joystick to point to keys. The characters you point to will be entered automatically when you point to them within the specified time.
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Scan All Keys - Use this mode if you want OSK to continuously scan the keyboard. Scan mode highlights areas where keyboard characters can be typed by pressing keyboard shortcuts, using a switch input device, or using a device that simulates a mouse click.
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Use Text Prediction - Use this option if you want OSK to suggest words for you as you type so you don't need to type each full word.
1. Use keyboard shortcuts to open or close the on-screen keyboard
Press the Win+Ctrl+O keys to turn on or off the on-screen keyboard.