How to Open the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK) in Windows Vista

You are probably wondering why you would ever need an onscreen keyboard when you have a proper one right in front of you. Well things happen, and trust me, one day you may need it. A friend of mine used it regularly because he was missing a few keys off his laptop keyboard.. They were not cheap to replace either.

It is also great for people with disabilities that find it easier to use a mouse rather than a keyboard. To bring up the on screen keyboard, following these simple steps. 

Method 1

1. Click on start at the bottom left corner.
2. Choose run and type OSK
3. Then the keyboard will come up (pictured below)

Method 2

1. Click on start at the bottom left corner.
2. Then choose All Programs - Accessories - Accessibility - Onscreen keyboard

If you want to use this keyboard regularly you can make a shortcut to it on the desktop. Here’s how.

1. Right click on the desktop
2. Choose new. Then choose shortcut.
3. Type osk, click next, and then click finish.
4. An icon will now be on the desktop.