What the onscreen keyboard does and when you need it
The onscreen keyboard is a tool built into Windows and Mac that puts a keyboard on your screen you can click or tap instead of using a physical keyboard. You control it with your mouse, trackpad, or touchscreen. It appears as a window showing all the keys you would find on a regular keyboard.
You might use it if your physical keyboard is broken, if you have limited hand mobility, if you are using a tablet or touchscreen device, or if you simply prefer clicking keys to typing. The onscreen keyboard stays on top of other windows so you can see it while working in any program.
Opening it takes about 10 seconds once you know where to look. The steps differ slightly between Windows and Mac, but both are straightforward.
Key Takeaways
- Windows users can open the onscreen keyboard through Settings, or faster through the search box by typing "osk".
- Mac users open it through System Settings under Accessibility, then Keyboard, then toggle on Accessibility Keyboard.
- Once open, you click or tap the keys on screen just as you would type on a physical keyboard.
- The onscreen keyboard stays visible while you work in other programs and can be resized or moved around your screen.
- You can set it to click keys automatically when you hover over them, which is faster than clicking each key.
Opening the onscreen keyboard on Windows 10 and 11
The fastest way is to use the search box. Press the Windows key (the key with the Windows logo) or click the search icon in your taskbar at the bottom of the screen. Type osk and press Enter. The onscreen keyboard window opens immediately.
If you prefer to go through Settings instead, click the Start button, then Settings, then Accessibility on the left side. Click Keyboard, then toggle on Onscreen Keyboard. The keyboard appears on your screen right away.
Once it is open, you can click any key with your mouse or tap it with your finger if you have a touchscreen. The keyboard stays on top of your other windows. To close it, click the X button in the top right corner of the keyboard window.
Opening the onscreen keyboard on Mac
Click the Apple menu in the top left corner of your screen, then System Settings. Click Accessibility in the left sidebar. Click Keyboard. Toggle on Accessibility Keyboard.
The onscreen keyboard appears at the bottom of your screen. You can click any key with your trackpad or tap it with your finger if you have a touchscreen. To close it, click the X button on the keyboard window or toggle it off in System Settings.
Making the onscreen keyboard faster to use
By default, you have to click each key individually. If clicking is slow or difficult for you, both Windows and Mac let you switch to hover mode, where the keyboard types a key automatically when you move your mouse over it without clicking.
On Windows, look for the Options button on the onscreen keyboard itself (usually in the top right). Click it and check the box for "Use Click Sound" or "Turn on numeric keypad" depending on what you need. For hover mode specifically, look for "Scanning mode" and toggle it on — this makes keys highlight as your mouse passes over them, and you can set it to type automatically.
On Mac, open System Settings, go to Accessibility, then Keyboard, then Accessibility Keyboard. You will see options to change how the keyboard responds. Look for settings related to dwell time or scanning to enable automatic typing when you hover.
Resizing and moving the keyboard around your screen
The onscreen keyboard takes up space on your screen. You can make it smaller or move it out of the way so you can see the program you are working in.
On Windows, grab the title bar at the top of the keyboard window and drag it to a new location. To resize it, drag the edges or corners of the window outward to make it larger or inward to make it smaller. A larger keyboard makes keys easier to click; a smaller one leaves more room for your work.
On Mac, the keyboard is usually docked at the bottom of the screen and cannot be moved as freely, but you can resize it by dragging its edges. If you want it in a different location, you may need to undock it first through the Accessibility Keyboard settings.
Typing special characters and numbers
The onscreen keyboard shows the standard letter keys, but you also need numbers and symbols. On Windows, look for keys labeled with numbers across the top row, just like a physical keyboard. To type a symbol like @ or #, click the Shift key first (it will highlight), then click the number or letter that produces that symbol.
For numbers on a separate numeric keypad, look for a button labeled "Num" or a numeric keypad icon on the keyboard window. Click it to switch to number-entry mode. Click it again to return to letters.
On Mac, the same Shift key method works for symbols. The numeric keypad appears as part of the main keyboard layout, usually on the right side. Click the number keys directly to type them.
Troubleshooting when the keyboard will not open
If you type "osk" in the Windows search box and nothing happens, restart your computer. Sometimes the accessibility service needs to be restarted to work properly. After restarting, try the search method again.
If the keyboard opens but keys do not respond when you click them, make sure the keyboard window is in focus — click its title bar to bring it to the front. Then try clicking a key again. If it still does not work, close the keyboard and reopen it.
On Mac, if the Accessibility Keyboard toggle is on but you do not see the keyboard, check that you are not in full-screen mode in another program. Exit full-screen mode and the keyboard should appear. If you toggled it on and still see nothing, restart your Mac and toggle it on again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the onscreen keyboard in all programs?
Yes. The onscreen keyboard works in any program — email, web browsers, word processors, spreadsheets, and more. It types into whatever program window is active, just like a physical keyboard would.
Is the onscreen keyboard slower than typing on a physical keyboard?
Usually yes, because you have to move your mouse or finger to each key and click it. However, if you enable hover mode or scanning mode, the keyboard can type automatically as you move over keys, which speeds things up significantly.
Can I customize which keys appear on the onscreen keyboard?
On Windows, the Options button lets you show or hide the numeric keypad and adjust some settings, but you cannot remove individual letter keys. On Mac, customization options are limited in the standard Accessibility Keyboard. For more control, you may want to explore third-party onscreen keyboards available in the app store.
Does the onscreen keyboard work on tablets and touchscreens?
Yes. On Windows tablets and devices with touchscreens, you can tap the keys directly with your finger instead of clicking with a mouse. On iPad, the Accessibility Keyboard works the same way — tap the keys you need.
What if I need to type a password into the onscreen keyboard?
The onscreen keyboard works for passwords just like any other text. Characters appear as dots or asterisks for security, the same way they do when you type a password on a physical keyboard. Type your password by clicking the keys in order.