Cannot change keyboard layout

[jaycup]

I inadvertently downloaded and installed the US version of Windows 7 instead of the UK version I cannot change the keyboard layout to English UK as no option is available, is there a way round this problem.

 

[Ian]

Hi Jaycup, welcome to the forums

You should be able to change it by going to Control Panel > Change Keyboards or other Input Methods > Change Keyboards

Then click "Add" and browse to "English (United Kingdom)" and select the keyboard profile. Click OK and then remove the old US keyboard profile

 

[jaycup]

Thanks for the quick response. I should have mentioned that I had already tried to change the keyboard language via Control Panel but English US is the only option offered. I should also add that I am running Windows 7 as a guest operating system on Windows XP (host) on a 'Virtual Box' set up and maybe this is why there are no options open to me , although I cannot figure out why this would be.

 

[Ian]

That's strange, so when you click add you are only offered English (US)? There should be an option to update and add languages via Windows update on the previous dialog box - have you tried that? Perhaps they bundle keyboard layouts with the language packs.

I tested it using Virtualbox and I could get it working OK. I can't remember downloading a GB specific version of Windows 7, but I am using a UK keyboard myself. Could you please post a screenshot when you get to the "add" page?

 

[jaycup]

Thanks for the support. The problem is solved but I cannot give you a precise report as to how . I have been doing a lot of experimenting and adding and removing features programs etc as well as trying to install some of my favourite tweaks from XP, so I decided to use System Restore and turn the clock back as far as I could two days as it happened. After the re-boot I found all the language options were available. I have now set the keyboard for UK English.

Thanks again for the terrific support and fast responses.

 

[Geoffers]

I thought Win7 was an International version and you select the keyboard etc on installation. That's how mine was.
Anyhow, from Control Panel take Regional & Language options then Change Keyboards then Add then you'll see a whole list of alternative keyboards!

Oops! Beaten to it!

 

[Ian]

Glad you're up and running with it System restore is one of the best features of Windows IMO, it has saved my bacon a good few times

 

[jaycup]

How right you are but when it was first introduced i had many problems with it because of it's unreliability. when I was really dependent on it it would fail and give the message "system cannot be restored etc.etc." but nowadays it really is much more stable and reliable.I am only sorry I did not think of using it earlier. i shall carry on experimenting and tweaking because that is why I installed Windows 7 as a virtual machine. I think Virtual Box is excellent by the way.