How do I use an on-screen keyboard when physical keys are inconvenient?

Open Start, choose Settings, go to Accessibility, then Keyboard, and turn on On-Screen Keyboard. Windows displays a visual keyboard you can use to type. [S1]

You do not need a touchscreen to use it. Microsoft describes using a mouse or another pointing device, as well as a physical single key or group of keys to move through the on-screen keys. [S1]

If you are using a mouse or another pointing device, move to the key you want and select it. For example, to enter a short note such as “Call [name]”, select the letters and spaces on the visual keyboard, then select the remaining letters. The bracketed name is a placeholder; replace it with your own text.

If you are using a physical key or keys to operate the on-screen keyboard, Microsoft says they can be used to cycle through on-screen keys. The exact setup and behavior may depend on your device and settings; the cited guidance confirms this basic method, not every possible configuration. [S1]

A touchscreen is not required: the On-Screen Keyboard can be operated with a mouse or another pointing device. [S1] The physical-key option is another way to move among the displayed keys, but it is not the only option. If you have a pointing device available, try selecting the keys directly.

If you do not have a usable pointing device or physical input, the cited guidance does not establish an alternative way to control the keyboard. In that case, check the accessibility settings and input options available on your Windows version, or ask someone who can use the device to help you navigate them.

The guidance cited here confirms how to turn on and operate the keyboard, but it does not establish which size, position, or other display options are available in every Windows version. [S1] Look at the options shown on your own screen rather than relying on instructions for a different version. If you do not see a display control you need, the cited guidance does not confirm that the control is supported on your setup.

Use this quick-start checklist:

1. Open Start > Settings > Accessibility > Keyboard.
2. Turn on On-Screen Keyboard and wait for the visual keyboard to appear. [S1]
3. Select the letters you need with a mouse or another pointing device, or use a physical key or keys to cycle through on-screen keys. [S1]
4. Check the options displayed on your device if you want to adjust how the keyboard appears; available options may vary by Windows version. [S1]
5. If a control or input method is missing, treat that as a device-specific limitation to investigate rather than assuming the same instructions apply to every Windows setup.