The language change shortcut key in Windows 10 and 11 is Win + Space, which cycles through the keyboard languages and layouts you have added, such as English and Hindi; the taskbar shows ENG or HIN so you know which is active. Alt + Shift switches languages too on most computers.
Ctrl + Shift switches between layouts within the same language, for example two different Hindi layouts. These hot keys can be changed or turned off, which is useful when they get pressed by accident.
Quick facts
Switch language
Win + SpaceAlternative
Alt + ShiftSwitch layout
Ctrl + ShiftAdd a language
Win + I, Time and languageChange hot keys
Advanced keyboard settingsMac
Control + Space
Language change shortcut key options
| Keys | What it switches |
|---|---|
| Win + Space | Next language or layout, with a small menu |
| Alt + Shift | Next input language |
| Ctrl + Shift | Next layout within a language |
| Taskbar language icon | Click and choose |
Add Hindi or another keyboard
- Press Win + I and open Time and language and pick Language and region.
- Click Add a language, search for Hindi and install it.
- Under Hindi, open Language options and add the keyboard you want, such as Hindi Traditional or Hindi Phonetic.
- Switch to it with Win + Space.
Typing methods are explained in Hindi typing shortcut keys and Mangal font keyboard shortcut.
Change or turn off the language hot keys
If Ctrl + Shift or Alt + Shift switches language while you are using Excel or another program, change them. Open Settings, Time and language, Typing, Advanced keyboard settings, and from there Input language hot keys. Select Between input languages, click Change Key Sequence, and choose Not Assigned or a different combination. Win + Space keeps working either way. After the change, test it by opening Notepad and pressing the old combination; nothing should happen. Office staff who type a lot of spreadsheet shortcuts often prefer this setup, since Ctrl + Shift combinations in Excel no longer flip the keyboard to another script halfway through a formula.
Google Input Tools keyboard shortcut
Google Input Tools is a separate way to type Indian languages by sound, available as a browser extension. It has its own on and off toggle shown in its options, independent of Windows. Inside a browser, it can be convenient, but the built in Windows Hindi Phonetic keyboard works in every program, including Word and Excel, with the same Win + Space switch.
When the language keeps changing
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| Symbols like @ and quotes moved | An extra English layout was added, such as UK; remove it |
| Language switches while typing fast | Turn off the Alt + Shift or Ctrl + Shift hot keys |
| Win + Space does nothing | Only one keyboard is installed |
| Language bar missing | Turn on Use the desktop language bar in Advanced keyboard settings |
Frequently asked questions
What is the language change shortcut key?
How do I switch from English to Hindi keyboard?
Add Hindi in language settings, then press Win + Space.
How do I stop the keyboard language changing by itself?
Turn off the Alt + Shift and Ctrl + Shift hot keys in Advanced keyboard settings.
What does Ctrl + Shift do for languages?
It switches between layouts of the same language.
Is there a Google Input Tools keyboard shortcut?
The browser extension has its own toggle; Windows Hindi keyboards switch with Win + Space.