Use the On-Screen Keyboard

An on-screen keyboard is built into Windows XP. It can be useful if you have mobility impairments, if you are using a tablet PC, or if your keyboard breaks down unexpectedly.

To access the on-screen keyboard:

• Go to Start, then click Run, and then type osk.

Now the keyboard opens on your computer screen, featuring three typing modes you can use to type data:

• Clicking mode, where you click the on-screen keys.
• Scanning mode, where you press a hot key or use a switch-input device to type highlighted characters.
  
• Hovering mode, where you use a mouse or joystick to point to a key, which is then typed.

To make a shortcut icon on your desktop to the on-screen keyboard:

• Right-click the desktop and choose New, then Shortcut.
• Type osk, click Next.
• Type a name for the shortcut, and then click Finish.