How to Add the Arabic Keyboard on Windows 10 and 11 (Step by Step)
Updated: July 16, 2026 · Reading time: 4 min
Your computer won't type in Arabic? The problem isn't the machine — it's just the language settings. Here's how to add the Arabic keyboard layout on Windows 10 and 11 in two minutes, with no software to install. And if you can't change the settings (work computer, library), just use the QuickArabi online Arabic keyboard instead.
On Windows 11
- Open Settings with Windows + I.
- Go to Time & Language → Language & Region.
- Click Add a language.
- Search for Arabic, pick your country variant (e.g. Arabic (Saudi Arabia)), then Next → Install.
- The language icon appears next to the clock in the taskbar.
On Windows 10
- Settings → Time & Language → Language.
- Under "Preferred languages" click + Add a language.
- Type "Arabic", choose the dialect, then Next → Install.
Switching Quickly Between Arabic and English
- Windows + Space — fastest, shows the list of installed languages.
- Alt + Shift — the classic direct-toggle shortcut.
Common Issue: The Arabic Letters Don't Show on My Keys!
That's expected: adding the language lets Windows type Arabic, but the letters printed on your physical keys won't change. Three fixes:
- Arabic keyboard stickers: cheap and easy to apply.
- Muscle memory: the Arabic layout is standardized — you'll learn it within days.
- The online keyboard: use the QuickArabi Arabic keyboard where every letter is visible and clickable — perfect for beginners.