Why Does Windows 11 Keep Adding Terrible Keyboard Layouts Without Permission?

How Can You Permanently Stop Windows 11’s Irritating Automatic Keyboard Layout Changes?

Your computer keeps changing keyboard layouts. This makes typing hard. One minute you type fine. The next minute strange symbols appear. This happens a lot after updates.

Many people face this problem. It slows down work. It makes simple tasks take longer. But you can fix it.

Why This Happens

Windows 11 adds keyboard layouts for many reasons:

• System updates reset your settings
• New software installs its own keyboard settings
• Multiple user accounts have different language preferences
• Microsoft Office changes language settings
• Gaming software adds special keyboard layouts

The computer tries to be helpful. Instead, it creates problems.

Method 1: Fix All User Accounts

Windows sometimes gets confused between different user accounts. Each account might have different keyboard settings. This creates conflicts.

Steps to sync all accounts:

1. Click Start menu
2. Type “Control Panel“
3. Click on it
4. Look for “Region“
5. Click on it
6. Click the “Administrative” tab
7. Click “Copy settings” button
8. A new window opens
9. Check your current language shows correctly
10. Check both boxes at bottom:
    • “Welcome screen and system accounts”
    • “New user accounts”
11. Click “OK“
12. Restart your computer

This makes all accounts use the same keyboard settings. No more conflicts between accounts.

Method 2: Remove Bad Keyboard Layouts

Extra keyboard layouts hide in different places. You need to find them all and remove them.

Remove from Windows Settings

1. Press Windows + I
2. Go to “Time & language“
3. Click “Language & region“
4. Look at all languages listed
5. Click the three dots (…) next to each
6. Select “Language options“
7. Look in “Keyboards” section
8. Click three dots next to layouts you don’t want
9. Select “Remove“
10. Go back to main language screen
11. Click three dots next to languages you don’t use
12. Select “Remove“

This removes the source of extra keyboard layouts.

Stop Microsoft Office from Adding Layouts

Office programs can add their own keyboard layouts. This undoes your hard work.

1. Start Word, Excel, or PowerPoint
2. Go to “File” menu
3. Click “Options“
4. Click “Language” in the left menu
5. Look at “Editing Languages” section
6. Remove languages you don’t use
7. Select unwanted language
8. Click “Remove“
9. Restart your computer

Now Office won’t add layouts back.

Method 3: Use Built-in Troubleshooter

Windows has a tool to fix keyboard problems automatically.

Run the troubleshooter:

1. Press Windows + I
2. Go to “System“
3. Click “Troubleshoot“
4. Click “Other troubleshooters“
5. Look for “Keyboard“
6. Click “Run“
7. Let the tool scan for problems
8. Apply any fixes it suggests
9. Restart if asked

The troubleshooter finds and fixes common keyboard layout problems.

Extra Tips That Work

Check Startup Programs

Some programs add keyboard layouts when Windows starts.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager
2. Click “Startup” tab
3. Turn off programs you don’t need
4. Restart and test

Try the Add-Remove Trick

Sometimes Windows won’t remove a layout properly.

1. Add the problem layout first
2. Then remove it right away

This helps Windows register the removal

Check After Updates

Windows updates can bring back old problems.

1. Check keyboard settings after big updates
2. Remove any layouts that came back
3. Repeat the sync process if needed

Look for Gaming Software

Gaming keyboards often have special software.

1. This software might add its own layouts
2. Check your keyboard manufacturer’s software
3. Turn off automatic layout switching

Quick Prevention Steps

1. Set one main language only
2. Remove all other languages you don’t use
3. Sync settings across all user accounts
4. Clean up Office language settings
5. Run keyboard troubleshooter monthly
6. Check settings after major updates

Why This Solution Works

This approach targets the root causes. Most guides only fix symptoms. This method:

• Stops conflicts between user accounts
• Removes hidden language packs
• Prevents Office from interfering
• Uses Windows’ own repair tools
• Catches problems before they start

The solution is simple but complete. It fixes current problems and prevents future ones.

Your keyboard will work the way you want. No more surprise language changes. No more strange symbols. Just smooth, predictable typing every time.