setting up alternate keyboard input in windows 7

i’ve experimented with the spanish and korean keyboard layout in the past (since i have taught microsoft classes in both countries prior to joining microsoft), but the dvorak keyboard is what i’m truly interested in mastering.  whether you just want to experiment with an alternative keyboard or learn where the keys are located in another language, here’s how to add keyboard layouts to windows 7.

control panel – keyboards and input methods or region and language if you have turned off category view in control panel

click on change keyboards

click on add (and notice that dvorak as a layout has options as well!)

you can arrange the keyboard layouts and choose to change your default in this dialog box.

be sure to locate the onscreen keyboard (doesn’t require a touchscreen slate or tablet pc – you can use it on a desktop or laptop as well) so that you can review where the keys are!