German keyboard: how is it different, how many characters?

Based on the name, the virtual keyboard (OSK) is an on-screen display of the language layout that is displayed and functions on the monitor screen. This type is used as an analogue of a mechanical one, therefore people are able to “type”, possessing only a mouse or other input item.

Typically, these are the 2 main reasons why someone wants to use OSK: accessibility and security.

In terms of accessibility, users prefer OSK over a physical keyboard, as they may want to type in their own language. They can also use the touch keyboard of a smartphone, but in many cases this option is a set of letters and characters can be inconvenient, because from typing large text on the smartphone display a person’s hand quickly gets tired.

REFERENCE! The great news is that there are some great free utilities that can help with these needs.

Also, it should be emphasized that people should use the right tool for the job. Available OSKs offer no protection against virus software.

For security reasons, read on the Internet which free virtual typing program is best to use. On the network you will get enough information about which application should be selected.

How many characters are in the German alphabet?

The German alphabet has more than twenty-six letters. Technically speaking, there is only one extra letter in the German alphabet - eszett. It looks like a capital letter B with a tail hanging on it: ß

However, there is what the Germans call der Umlaut. This is when two points are placed above the letter. The German keyboard also provides for them. In German, this happens only over the vowels a, o, and u. An umlaut placed in these vowels produces the following sound shifts: ä looks like a short e; ö similar to u sound and ü similar to french sound. Unfortunately, there is no English equivalent for ü sound. To make the sound ü, you must say u when your lips are in a wrinkled position.

Ss, on the other hand, is simply as overly expressed s. It is rightly called in German ein scharfes s (spicy s). In fact, when people do not have access to the German keyboard, they often replace the double letter ß. Nevertheless, in German there are additional rules about when to write ss or ß correctly.

Where in the settings to add a German keyboard?

Windows has developed a virtual typing option that helps people type words in the absence of a mechanical version. It is especially convenient to use with a touch screen, but you can type letters using a computer mouse. If you have a joystick or controller, then after connecting, you will be able to print using it.

In Windows ten and eight, there are two types of virtual typing: regular virtual, located in the task bar, and a more functional type, which is located in the Ease of Access settings.

Windows 10. To instantly switch to a virtual layout in this operating system, click the right part click on the task bar and check that the "Show virtual keyboard" function is checked in context menu.

You will notice some shortcut near the start button or notification bar. Click on this shortcut or tap with your finger to start virtual typing.
After completing these steps, in the settings, find and switch to the German layout.

On windows 8 everything functions the same as in the tenth, but the location of the toolbar settings is slightly different. To enable typing from the screen, right-click on the toolbar, check that the "virtual keyboard" is working.
After you notice the virtual layout symbol on the side of the notification field. Click or attach a finger to use it. Then switch to German.
In Windows seven, you can take advantage of the virtual option by going to the Start menu, finding “All Programs” and opening “Accessories”> “Ease of Access”> “On-Screen Keyboard”.

REFERENCE! You may notice the item “Start on the on-screen keyboard”, but this is no different from the fact that it performs a direct inclusion of the keyboard.

In order to easily open the virtual version next time, you should click on the “On-Screen Keyboard” symbol and mark “Lock the program on the taskbar”.

How to use the on-screen keyboard?

By switching to the virtual version, you will have the opportunity to type words using a sensor, mouse or controller, if you have one. This type of word input is no different from typing on a mechanical version. When switching to a virtual type, you retain all the possibilities of a mechanical analogue: select the field for typing by clicking on it, and then use the virtual keys.

Symbols in the upper extreme corner move or zoom the keyboard. The keyboard symbol below allows you to select a variety of layouts.
The screen type contains a much larger number of buttons and has greater functional capabilities than a conventional mechanical computer keyboard. It is a regular desktop window, the scale of which can be increased and decreased, unlike a mechanical keyboard.

You will notice several additional features. If you use the “Options” item, you can select the German layout. If you wish, you can install it in the taskbar, like any application, this will simplify the keyboard launch next time.

You are also able to switch to the screen type directly from the Windows ten login screen. Click on “Ease of Access” and click on “On-Screen Keyboard” in the menu shown.

How to change the language on the on-screen keyboard

Click on start and enter “language”. Next, find the region and language in the list. Open this item. (Of course, you can do this from the control panel.)

Find the language you want to install. Click on + before recording to expand the list. Open the keyboard in the same way. Choose a language from the latest options, make sure the checkbox is selected. Then select OK. You will now see the installed languages ​​in the Text Services and Input Languages ​​window. Everything is set up for you.

Language settings. The layout language used can be seen at the right end of the taskbar. To switch to another language, press left Alt + Shift. With successive presses, this will cycle through the available languages.
Note. Select a keyboard when an application using keyboard input is open.

REFERENCE! You can switch to another language in another application. Keyboard selection “sticky” - switching to another application will also switch the keyboard selected in this application. This makes working in different languages ​​really easy.

When a language pack is installed for a supported language, the on-screen version offers a very useful feature: auto-complete options. Not all languages ​​are supported in this way. English and German support this feature. Auto-complete is not supported for the Russian language.
Use the instructions in this article and you can easily access German characters.