Skip to content

Call our helpline

0300 180 0028
How to change the keyboard settings for Windows 7 and 8

How to change the keyboard settings for Windows 7 and 8

Windows 8

  • To open the Ease of Access Centre press ‘Windows’ logo key +‘U’
  • On a touch-enabled device, swipe in from the right hand edge of the screen then tap 'Search' and enter Ease of Access in the search box.
  • Tap 'Settings' then tap 'Ease of Access Centre' from the search results.
  • Using a mouse move the mouse pointer to the upper right hand corner of the screen, then move the pointer down to select 'Search' and enter Ease of Access in the search box.
  • Tap 'Settings' then tap 'Ease of Access Centre' from the search results.

Windows 7

  • Open ‘Ease of Access Center’ press ‘Windows’ logo key + ‘U’ or click Start button ‘Control Panel’ + ‘Ease of Access’ + ‘Ease of Access Center’.

Step 2

  • ‘Tab’ to and press ‘Enter’ or click to select ‘Make the keyboard easier to use’ under Explore all settings.
  • Click to select or press ‘Alt’ + ‘I’ to turn on ‘Filter Keys’, see Fig 1.
  • To customise your settings click to select ‘Setup Filter Keys’ or press ‘Alt’ + ‘L’.


Fig 1

  • To use the keyboard shortcut to turn Filter Keys on and off, click to select or press ‘Alt’ + ‘K’ to ‘Turn on Filter Keys when right SHIFT is held down for 8 seconds’.
  • Press ‘Alt’ + ‘A’ or click to select 'Display a warning message when turning a setting on'. Press ‘Alt’ + ‘M’ or click to select ‘Make a sound when turning a setting on or off’.
  • Bounce Keys prevent a key stroke being recorded should your finger accidently repeatedly touch a key on the keyboard.
  • Click to select ‘Turn on Bounce Keys’ or press ‘Alt’ + ‘B’. You change the setting to set the time a key is held down before it is recorded, click to select the time limit or ‘Tab’ to the drop down box and use the arrow keys or to click to select your desired setting, Fig 2.


Fig 2

  • Click to select or press ‘Alt’ + ‘R’ to switch on Repeat Keys and Slow Keys which prevents brief key strokes from being recorded


Fig 3  

  • If you want to hear a sound when keystrokes are accepted, 'Beep when keys are pressed or accepted' press ‘Alt’ + ‘W’ or click to select, Fig 4.


Fig 4

  • To Display the Filter Keys icon on the taskbar if you want a reminder that filter keys is on press ‘Alt’ + ‘I’ or click to select.
  • Click on ‘OK’ or press ‘Alt’ + ‘O’ to save your options.

Note: If this does not work it could be because your computer settings cannot be changed due to local IT policies - contact your local IT support for further help.

Created on: January-17-2017

Need some more help?

Call our helpline 0300 180 0028 or email enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk

Need free IT Support at Home?

If you are older or disabled and need IT support at home, you can book a free home visit.