You changed the language of your keyboard without doing it on purpose and you don't know how to change that? Do not panic, this tutorial is precisely dedicated to you. No matter what Windows you are working on, there are simple methods to switch from QWERTY to AZERTY or vice versa. We explain the steps to follow, but first, find out the reasons why there are these two types of keyboard, then a tip for setting a default keyboard.
Why are there two different keyboards?
The existence of these two types of keyboard is far from being a coincidence. If we take the case of the QWERTY layout, whose inventor is called Christopher Latham Sholes, know that it was created at the base to allow users of typewriters to avoid interlacing stems when they write . Patented since 1878, this arrangement is particularly used in English-speaking countries. Currently, it is also widely used in Norway, Denmark, Spain, Sweden and Portugal.
Being better suited to the words of the French language, the AZERTY layout, for its part, is used in French-speaking countries if we would only mention France and Belgium.
How to set a default keyboard on your computer?
If you want your keyboard language to be saved every time you start your computer, just set a default keyboard by following these steps:
- Go to the "Start" menu (on the taskbar or by directly using the Windows icon between “ctrl” and “Alt”), then click on “settings”;
- Once redirected to the settings page, click on "clock and language", then on "region & language";
- Then, click under the "languages" option and then on the language you want to save as default;
- Finally, click on "set as default", and that's it!
Switching from QWERTY to AZERTY: how does it work?
A main reason can explain the need to switch from QWERTY to AZERTY and vice versa. This is to gain speed when entering text, by switching from one input language to another, depending on your needs in terms of letter and diacritical marks.
To do this, here are two effective ways to put into practice:
Use a keyboard shortcut
With this method, it is enough to press the SHIFT + ALT keys simultaneously. By doing this manipulation, the selected language should be displayed at the bottom right of your screen, either ENG for English or FR for French. You only have to repeat this shortcut to change languages even if your Windows has other language packs.
Go to language preference settings
To access the language settings, you must press the Windows button (or click on the Windows icon on the “start” menu) and then click on “settings”. Then, click successively on “time and language”, then on “region and language”. Then click on "language", and you will be able to select the language you need (French or English).
Now you know how to switch from QWERTY layout to AZERTY layout and vice versa!
