How to detect the language of a peripheral keyboard

1

Windows cannot automatically detect the language of a keyboard and that model of Dell keyboard can come in many language versions.

Look at the underneath cover of the keyboard to check if Dell have a sticker with the language indicated.

If not, please provide a photo of your keyboard so I can see the key layout on the keyboard.

2

In the meantime, if there are many characters on some of the keys, if you press Alt or Alt GR + a key on the keyboard are you able to type the extra characters.

Windows does not automatically “detect” the physical language of a peripheral keyboard. Instead, a matching keyboard layout must be added and then manually selected or switched to.

To use a French Swiss or German-layout external keyboard when the built‑in keyboard is different, add the corresponding keyboard layout in Windows and switch layouts when using that keyboard:

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Time & language > Language & region.
3. Under Language, find the current Windows display language.
4. Select the … menu next to it and choose Language options.
5. Under Keyboards, select Add a keyboard.
6. Scroll the list and select the keyboard layout that matches the external keyboard (for example, a Swiss French or German layout, depending on what is printed on the keys).
7. Once added, use the taskbar input indicator or the keyboard shortcut (such as Win + Space) to switch between layouts when changing between the integrated and external keyboard.

If the desired layout is not listed under the current display language, select the language that matches the keyboard layout (for example, German or French (Switzerland)) in Language & region, install it if needed, then repeat the steps above to add its keyboard layout.

This approach lets Windows generate the correct characters for the external keyboard even if the integrated keyboard uses a different layout.

References:

• Manage the language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows
• Keyboard Input Overview
• Keyboard identifiers and input method editors for Windows