A complete, step-by-step guide covering every method — from the quickest keyboard shortcut to the Accessibility settings, Registry tweaks, and automatic startup.
The on-screen keyboard (OSK) is a built-in Windows accessibility feature that displays a virtual keyboard on your screen. You can type using a mouse, touchpad, stylus, or touchscreen — without touching a physical keyboard.
Windows ships with two separate keyboard tools that are often confused:
| Feature | On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) | Touch Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Executable | osk.exe |
Built into Shell |
| Best for | Desktop use, accessibility, full key coverage | Tablet / touchscreen devices |
| Layout | Full QWERTY + function keys | Compact, swipe-capable |
| Always on top | Optional | Yes |
| Accessibility settings | ✓ Fully configurable | Limited |
osk.exe keyboard. Method 4 covers the modern Touch Keyboard available in the system tray.
The quickest way to toggle the on-screen keyboard is via a built-in Windows shortcut. This works on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 without navigating any menus.
Press and hold Windows key, then Ctrl, then O simultaneously. The on-screen keyboard window will appear instantly. Press the same combination to close it.
The classic On-Screen Keyboard (osk.exe) opens as a floating window you can drag anywhere on the screen.
The Settings app provides a permanent toggle that keeps the on-screen keyboard enabled every time you log in. This is the recommended method for users with motor disabilities or broken physical keyboards.
Win + I to open the Settings app.Win + I to open Settings.The Run dialog is a fast way to launch osk.exe directly, bypassing all menus. This is especially useful when the taskbar is unresponsive or you're working in a minimal environment.
Win + R to open the Run dialog.osk in the text field.
Run Dialog — Type exactly:
osk
You can also launch it directly from Command Prompt or PowerShell:
Command Prompt / PowerShell
start osk.exe
osk.exe in C:\Windows\System32\ and selecting Pin to taskbar for one-click access.
Windows 10 and 11 include a modern Touch Keyboard that can be pinned to the system tray for instant one-click access. It's optimized for touchscreen devices but works with a mouse too.
The Touch Keyboard icon sits quietly in the tray until needed — one click opens a modern, swipe-capable keyboard.
If you prefer navigating via the Start menu, Windows Search is the most straightforward approach — no settings knowledge required.
Win key.osk or osk.exe — Windows will find the same application. Works identically on both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
If you rely on the on-screen keyboard daily, you can configure Windows to launch it automatically every time you sign in — without going through Settings each time.
Simply enabling the OSK toggle in Settings → Accessibility → Keyboard (covered in Method 2) automatically makes it persist at login. No additional steps needed.
Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter.C:\Windows\System32\osk.exeregedit → File → Export.
Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe
Registry Path
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Both operating systems include the on-screen keyboard, but the interface and navigation paths differ slightly. Here's a side-by-side comparison of what changed:
| Feature / Setting | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Settings section name | Ease of Access | Accessibility |
| Keyboard shortcut to open | Win + Ctrl + O |
Win + Ctrl + O |
| Touch Keyboard activation | Right-click taskbar | Taskbar Settings → System Tray Icons |
| Touch Keyboard design | Basic, flat layout | Rounded corners, emoji panel, voice typing |
| OSK persistence across sessions | ✓ Yes (via toggle) | ✓ Yes (via toggle) |
| Handwriting panel | Available | Improved, detachable |
| Voice typing integration | Separate feature | Integrated in Touch Keyboard |
If none of the methods above are working, one of the following issues may be preventing the on-screen keyboard from launching:
This usually occurs when another application is claiming focus. Try clicking on your desktop first, then launching OSK. If it persists, check if any window management software (e.g., DisplayFusion, AutoHotkey scripts) is interfering.
The shortcut may be overridden by another application. Try disabling third-party keyboard remapping tools. Alternatively, use the Run dialog method (Win + R → osk) as a fallback.
This can happen on certain Windows editions or after system corruption. Run the System File Checker to repair missing components:
Command Prompt (Run as Administrator)
sfc /scannow
If C:\Windows\System32\osk.exe is absent, the file may have been deleted by malware removal software. Use Windows Update or a DISM restore to recover system files:
Command Prompt (Run as Administrator)
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
osk.exe) can be resized by dragging any of its edges or corners, just like a regular window. You can also drag it by its title bar to reposition it anywhere on the screen. To restore its default size, close it and reopen it — it resets to default dimensions.
osk.exe is the classic on-screen keyboard, a standalone window with a full key layout including function keys, number pad, and modifier keys. The Touch Keyboard is a newer, more modern input panel integrated into the system tray, designed for tablet and touchscreen use. It features swipe typing, emoji, themes, and voice input on Windows 11 — but lacks some keys found in the classic OSK.
osk.exe doesn't have a built-in one-handed mode, but you can use the Hover mode (Options → Use click sound) combined with dwell-click software for single-switch access.
All six methods covered in this guide are built directly into Windows — no third-party software required. The right method depends on how often you need the keyboard and your specific situation:
| Method | Best for | Persistence |
|---|---|---|
| Win + Ctrl + O | Instant, one-time use | Session only |
| Settings toggle | Daily users, accessibility needs | Permanent (auto-launches) |
| Run dialog (osk) | Quick launch, broken taskbar | Session only |
| Touch Keyboard (tray) | Touchscreen, modern UI preference | Icon stays in tray |
| Start Menu search | Beginners, infrequent use | Session only |
| Startup / Registry | Full-time keyboard replacement | Permanent (every login) |
For most users, the Settings toggle (Accessibility → Keyboard → On-Screen Keyboard) is the best option — it's straightforward, reversible, and keeps the keyboard available at every login. If you only need it occasionally, the Win + Ctrl + O shortcut is the fastest way to get typing without changing any system settings.
On Windows 11, consider also enabling the Touch Keyboard in the system tray — it offers a significantly more modern typing experience with themes, emoji, and voice input built in.