Are you greeted by an on-screen keyboard while using a Windows 10 PC? Does it appear randomly or when using a specific app? These questions will determine the solutions that will help you permanently get rid of that virtual on-screen keyboard.
It is not just users with touchscreen laptops / notebook PCs facing this error. Others have reported seeing the on-screen keyboard notification in the taskbar or Windows lock screen. There are a few ways to fix this annoying problem.
1. Remove from the taskbar
Notice the on-screen keyboard icon in the taskbar area? Right-click anywhere on the taskbar and deselect the Show Touch Keyboard Button option.
This will disable and hide the on-screen keyboard and also protect you from accidental clicks that activate it.
2. Accessibility Center
Microsoft offers several ways to use Windows 10 computers for people with disabilities. Some of these features are available in the Ease of Access Center. One such feature is the on-screen keyboard option.
Step 1: open the Start menu and search for "Accessibility Keyboard Settings" and open it.
Step 2: disable the “Use the on-screen keyboard” option and restart the computer if necessary.
Check if you are still facing the on-screen keyboard when using the computer in the same scenario as before.
Have you noticed the handy keyboard shortcut (Windows key + Ctrl + O) mentioned under the setting? Use it to enable the setting if you need it quickly.
3. On-screen keyboard settings
Do not close the computer's on-screen keyboard the next time it opens.
Step 1: do click the Options button.
Step 2: do click “Check if the on-screen keyboard starts when I log in” with blue ink.
Step 3: uncheck the "Use On-Screen Keyboard" option and save everything.
4. Touch keyboard service
Follow these steps only if the above solution didn't work for you. This will disable all touch related apps on your computer. Use it accordingly. The good news is that you can follow the same steps to reverse the effects.
Step 1: search and open Services from the Start menu.
Step 2: do double-click on “Touch keyboard and handwriting panel service” and select Disabled next to Startup type in the General tab.
Step 3: save your changes and check again.
5. Recently installed app?
Have you recently installed an app like AirDisplay? This could be why you are suddenly seeing the on-screen keyboard appearing here and there. One way to clear the memory is to open the Control Panel and search for Uninstall a program.
You can sort apps by name or date here.
Check if there is an app responsible for the strange behavior. If so, change the settings to stop it or uninstall the app and find an alternative.
For those who see the on-screen keyboard at startup on the login screen, disable startup tasks. There is no need to uninstall the app.
You can also open and check the Task Manager (press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open) to see if an app is running that shouldn't be running. All running apps are listed on the Processes tab.
If you're sure it's an app responsible for on-screen keyboard pop-ups but you can't spot it, try starting Windows 10 cleanly.
6. App desktop remote
RDP app or remote desktop can activate the on-screen keyboard app. Check if that app or browser extension is active. Some popular examples are Team Viewer and Chrome Remote Desktop.
7. Registry Hack
Step 1: search and open Registry Editor from the Start menu.
Step 2: View in detail the folder structure below.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionAuthenticationLogonUI
Step 3: find the ShowTabletKeyboard file on the right, double click to open it and enter the hex value data as 0 (zero). Save everything and restart if prompted.
8. Use the restore point
Windows 10 comes with a feature called Restore Point where it creates a regular backup of your computer. Backups are usually done when the system thinks everything is working as it should.
Check the date of your last restore point, and if you were not faced with the on-screen keyboard pop-up error, restore. You won't lose any data except recently installed apps which you can always reinstall. The process is safe but irreversible.
Conclusion
I guess what annoys users is the fact that the on-screen keyboard usually stays above any open windows. The on-screen keyboard option is a feature used by some people. There's a reason it's there and hating it won't make it go away, also because it's very useful in many cases. Hope one of the above solutions worked for you. If you've found another way to fix it, let us know in the comment section below.
