3 Simple Methods to Clean Up Unwanted Keyboard Layouts in Windows 11/10

Struggling with too many keyboard layouts cluttering your Windows taskbar? Extra language inputs can cause accidental typing switches and slow down your workflow. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to remove unused keyboard layouts in Windows 10/11 using three proven techniques—no technical expertise needed!

Why Remove Unwanted Keyboard Layouts?

Multiple language inputs can lead to:

• Accidental language switches while typing
• Cluttered system tray icons
• Slower language preference management
• Confusion during login screens

Clean up your setup with these easy fixes👇

Method 1: Uninstall via Settings (Beginner-Friendly)

Best for: Quick removal without commands or registry edits.

      1. Open Settings: Right-click the Start button > Settings (or press Win + I).

      2. Navigate to Languages: Go to Time & language > Language & region.

      3. Delete Unused Languages:
                  ◦ Under Preferred languages, click the ⋯ icon next to the language you want to remove.
                  ◦ Select Remove > Confirm.

      4. Repeat for other languages.

Pro Tip: Windows retains keyboard layouts if the language is still installed. To fully remove them, delete the associated language pack first.

Method 2: Edit Registry (Advanced Users)

Use this if: Settings don’t fully remove hidden layouts.

⚠️ Caution: Backup your registry first (File > Export in Regedit).

      1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.

      2. Click Yes when prompted by User Account Control (UAC).

      3. Navigate to:

             Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Keyboard Layout\Preload
 
     4. Identify Layouts:

             ◦ Each numbered entry corresponds to your installed layouts (order matches your Settings list).

     5. Right-click unwanted entries > Delete.

     6. Restart your PC to apply changes.

Note: Misplaced entries? Compare registry values with your Settings language list to avoid errors.

Method 3: PowerShell Command (For Power Users)

Ideal for: Bulk removal or scripting.

      1. Open PowerShell as Admin:
 
                    Search “PowerShell” > Right-click > Run as administrator.

      2. List Current Layouts:

                  Copy this command text and paste it on powershell

                             get-winuserlanguagelist 

             Note the language codes (e.g., en-US for English).

       3. Set New Layouts:

                  Copy this command text and paste it on powershell

             set-winuserlanguagelist -LanguageList “en-US, fr-FR” -Force 

             Replace en-US, fr-FR with your preferred codes.

      4. Type Y to confirm > Close PowerShell.

Success! Your system now displays only the languages you specified.