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How to configure the keyboard of a computer, notebook or laptop? Step by step guide

How to configure the keyboard of a computer

This article was created with the intention of helping all those people who are having problems when writing with their physical keyboards on their computers. This is usually due to a bad configuration, although in other cases may have accidentally activated the «Number lock» key . Each of these scenarios looks very complicated, but in reality they have a fairly simple solution.

Most of today’s operating systems are designed so that the same user is able to solve any misfortune that may arise at some point . This is why MacOS and Windows are so easy to use. Many people believe that in order to apply these solutions one must have advanced knowledge, but the reality is that in a very short time they can be done.

In this article we will show you how to correctly configure your computer keyboard , Notebook or Laptop . This guide is very wide since we show the step by step to change it from Windows or MacOS, here you will find the way to repair your keyboard with Windows 7, 8, 8.1, 10 despite being the same operating system the change of versions changes a bit the position of the options.

Steps to configure and repair the keyboard on your computer or notebook

If your keyboard does not write what you indicate, it is probably that it is using another language. This usually happens a lot when languages ​​are accidentally activated. Modern keyboards have the advantage of being able to write in several languages. So today we will teach you to verify if this is the problem and how to solve it .

Before starting with the steps, let’s review the Lock # or Num Lock key , which is mostly located at the top of the keyboard. On many laptops when this key is active , it makes the letters write numbers or symbols instead of what it is appropriate to type, or even that the numeric keys work or not.

tecla Bloq núm

To deactivate it you must locate the position of this key and press it again to deactivate it, in the case of some keyboards you must press Fn + Num Lock . Now we confirm that this function is deactivated by typing again, specifically with those keys in which you presented the problem.

In Windows 10

Windows 10 is one of the OS that offers users the most facilities when making driver and hardware configurations. If what you want is to deepen the configuration of the keyboard, what you should do is the following:

  • Enter the “ Control Panel” and look for the “Accessibility” section. Once there you search and click on the “Change keyboard operation” option.
  • This will open a window like the one in the following image where you will see all the configurable aspects , and you will be able to change them and activate them at pleasure and then save the changes by clicking on accounted for respectively.

Configurar todos los aspectos del teclado

One aspect that you will not be able to configure in the previous section is the keyboard language , which is also something important that you should know.

To do this you simply do the following:

  • Enter the “Windows” menu and then click on “Settings”. In the window that will appear select “Add a keyboard ».
  • Automatically will show a list where you will see all the existing keyboards in the world . For example, if our physical keyboard is Spanish and the one we have (in the configuration) is American, its keys would not match, it is for this reason that the keyboard is considered unconfigured.

agregar un teclado

  • To eliminate this problem we must look in the list for the keyboard that matches our language. If we are going to write in Spanish we click on the «Spanish» keyboard. Now you look for the “ES” icon located in the Windows taskbar on the right side.
  • Then you will display a small list of keyboards which are installed in the system, so you select the Spanish language (or whatever you want).

icono teclado en español

  • This way you will have changed the language of your keyboard and will have it configured correctly from your Windows 10 computer.

In Windows 7

The process in Windows 7 is practically identical to that of the previous version . Both OS are very similar, in fact many say that the success of version 10 is due to the similarity it has with 7. Again, the first thing you must learn is to enter the keyboard configuration.

To do this follow these steps:

  • Enter the “ Control Panel” and search “Accessibility”. Once there, click on the “Change keyboard operation” option.
  • This will open a window where you will see all the configurable aspects, and you can change and activate the you want to pleasure and then save the changes by clicking on accounted for permitted.

Configurar todos los aspectos del teclado

  • The next thing you need to do is simply change the language in case it is not configured in the best way.
  • Search Windows Start the “Control Panel” option located to the right of it. Once in the control panel, double click on the «Regional and Language Settings» .

reloj idioma y region

  • In the window that opens, click on the “Change keyboard or other input methods” option.

cambiar teclado

  • Another window will appear, and within all the options shown, select “Change Keyboards”.

dar clic en cambiar teclados

  • In the box that appears you will see a drop-down list where you will find the language for your keyboard and click on «Accept». If the language you want does not appear, click on “Add” and in the list shown with all existing keyboards, select the one of your choice and click on consequently accept.

This way you change the keyboard of your computer. To confirm it, in the taskbar look for the “ES” icon and click, the keyboard that is marked as default will appear with a bullet, if it is the one you chose then all were done perfectly.

In Windows 8 and 8.1

In this section you will learn how to configure the keyboard from your Windows 8 or 8.1 quickly and easily. Again, the first thing you should do is configure the most basic aspects.

To do this you must do the following:

  • Click on the “Start” menu, then locate “Control Panel” and search within it “Accessibility”. Once there, click on the “Change keyboard operation” option.
  • A window will open where you can see all configurable aspects, and change and activate those you want to pleasure and then save the changes by clicking on accounted for acceptably.
  • For the language, press the Win + X keys to access to “Control Panel” . You can also access this window from the Windows browser by typing “Control Panel.”
  • Once there we look for the option that says “Clock, Language and Region” and select the option “Add a language” .
  • Then the default language for Windows 8.1 will appear. You click on the “Options” link and the “Input method” section, then click on “Preview” .

Vista previa del teclado

  • When you see on the screen the sample of the keyboard that is predetermined should match the one you have physically. Otherwise, you will have to close the window and go to the “Add an input method” .

Agregar método de entrada

  • It will show a list of options with those keyboards and their different languages. You must choose the one that matches your physical keyboard so you can enjoy it.
  • After doing so you go back to step 3 and confirm the keyboard and verify that it matches the one you have physically.

On MacOS

With MacOS, setting up your keyboard will be much easier, since you don’t have to do so many procedures. Follow the instructions we leave below for you to achieve and enjoy writing in the language as it should.

  • On the desktop look for the Apple icon and click to open the menu, then search and select the “System preferences” option.
  • Enter the options search “Keyboard” and click there.
  • Then select the “Input source” tab located at the top of the window.

clic en icono teclado

  • Click on “+” , which is located on the left side of the dialog box. There, look for the “Language” option and click on it and a list of languages ​​that the system already has installed will appear.
  • Click on the keyboard or on the “Input sources” to preset the keyboard language for your computer, which is located on the right side of the “Control panel” .
  • You will then be presented with a example of the keyboard layout to verify if it is the keyboard you want to choose.

teclado fuentes de entrada Mac

  • Then click “Add”. Now check “Show” the keyboard menu in the menu bar located at the bottom of the sale . In doing so, a flag will appear on the right side of the menu bar.
  • Click on the flag and select the language that you want to use on the keyboard. ¡Ready !

Seleccionar idioma teclado Mac

What to do if your keyboard is English and you want it in Spanish?

This situation is different, because if you want to write in Spanish you will have to memorize the position of the Spanish keys or use the on-screen keyboard. Although the difference from one keyboard to another is the letter Ñ .

However today markets sell carpets to install on your physical keyboard and thus change all the keys and symbols . This method is very useful if you have a laptop.