How to use the on-screen keyboard in Windows 8

3. If you want the on-screen keyboard to open automatically when you start Windows or log-in, scroll down to Explore all settings and click or tap Use the computer without a mouse or keyboard.

4. Look under Type using a pointing device and tick the checkbox next to Use On-Screen Keyboard.

5. Once the on-screen keyboard is active, you can change its settings by clicking or tapping on the Options key in the bottom row of keys, next to the Help key.

6. To enable text prediction, look under Text prediction and tick the checkbox next to Use text prediction. You can also tick the checkbox next to Insert space after predicted words to get a space added after every word.

7. By default, you type with the on-screen keyboard by clicking or tapping on a key, but you can also opt to type by hovering over a key with the mouse pointer. To enable this, click the button next to Hover over keys. You can set how long you have to hover before the key is pressed by moving the Hover duration slider.

8. Alternatively, you can set Windows to scan through the keys, so that you select a key by pressing a key or button when the key you want is highlighted. Click or tap the button next to Scan through keys to activate this option, and use the slider underneath to adjust the Scanning speed.

9. When you've finished changing settings, click OK to go back to using Windows.

Note: If this does not work it could be because someone else manages your computer settings (an IT department or administrator). If this is the case, you will need to contact them to access these settings or for further help.