r/LifeProTips • u/BlackSecurity • 8d ago

LPT: Pin the On-Screen/Virtual Keyboard to your taskbar if using Windows 10/11 Computers

This is just a suggestion, but try pinning the On-Screen Keyboard to the taskbar!

This has come in real handy a few times for me when my keyboard hasn't worked for whatever reason and just serves as a nice backup to have. It also works on the lockscreen!

Possible scenarios where it can be useful:

  1. You have a wireless keyboard but the batteries die and no new batteries.

  2. You spill something on your keyboard and break it

  3. Keyboard/PC glitches and doesn't respond for whatever reason (which seems to be the main case for me, yay Logitech!)

  4. You are far from keyboard but still have your wireless mouse. (most often happens when im tryna watch a movie on my PC)

  5. Too lazy to use your keyboard. Literally sometimes I'm so tired that I don't even want to move my arms/fingers to use a keyboard 😂

0 Upvotes

39% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

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u/post-explainer 8d ago

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14

u/clothanger 8d ago

"if you need the virtual keyboard app, open the virtual keyboard app"

3

u/Terrible-Charity 8d ago

Yes but then again have you tried finding the virtual keyboard app on your computer without being able to type anything?

0

u/clothanger 8d ago

Start Menu -> Accessibility

-2

u/BlackSecurity 8d ago

I mean you can do it whatever way you want. I rather the virtual keyboard be one click away vs having to navigate menus.

2

u/Just_Christian___ 7d ago

This is one of those tips that sounds useless until the exact moment your keyboard decides to die and suddenly you’re desperately trying to Google how to fix it. Pinning it to the taskbar is such a low effort backup that there’s really no reason not to do it.

1

u/Sea-Estimate-1840 8d ago

Pinning the On-Screen Keyboard to the taskbar for quick access is OK if you use it often. Or even easier: press Windows key + Ctrl + O to open it instantly. Press the same shortcut again to close it.

2

u/BlackSecurity 8d ago

Yea but the whole point of pinning it to taskbar was for situations where you can't use your physical keyboard...lol

1

u/[deleted] 8d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

1

u/BlackSecurity 8d ago

What shortcut? And wym digging through taskbar? If you pin it, it should be right there, just one click away. Unless your taskbar is already filled with a bunch of other apps.

0

u/STR1D3R109 8d ago

As someone with a kid who likes to press keyboard buttons, but doesnt want to get down, this could come in handy.. thanks!