Selecting a Dvorak Keyboard Layout

Alternative keyboard layouts called "Dvorak" layouts may be helpful to people who type with one hand or finger. These layouts make the most frequently typed characters on a keyboard more accessible to people who have difficulty using the standard keyboard layout by reducing the amount of motion required to type common English text. Use of these layouts may also help avoid some types of repetitive strain injuries associated with typing. This tutorial tells you how to select a Dvorak layout in Windows 2000.

Mouse actionsKeyboard actions
1 On the Start menu:
  • Point to Settings.
  • Select Control Panel.
Display the Start menu by pressing CTRL+ESC (or the Windows logo key Windows logo key).
  • Move to Settings by pressing S.
  • Select Control Panel by pressing C.
2 In Control Panel:
  • Select Regional Options.
 In Control Panel:
  • Select the Regional Options icon byusing the arrow keys.
  • Press ENTER.
3 In the Regional Options dialog box, on the Input Locales tab, under Input language:
  • Select the Add button.
 In the Regional Options dialog box:
  • Move to the Input Locales tab by pressing CTRL+Tab.
  • Select the Add button by pressing ALT+D.
4 In the Add Input Locale dialog box, under Keyboard layout/IME:
  • Select the keyboard layout you want.
  • Select OK.
  • Select OK again to close the dialog box.
 In the Add Input Locale dialog box:
  • Move to Keyboard layout/IME by pressing ALT+K.
  • Select the keyboard layout you want by pressing the arrow keys.
  • Press ENTER twice to select the option and close the dialog box.
5 To close Control Panel:
  • On the File menu, select Close.
 To close Control Panel:
  • Press ALT+F, C.