Use a 106-key Japanese keyboard on Windows 11 as a non-administrator

Introduction

This guide will help you use a 106-key Japanese keyboard on Windows 11. The 106-key Japanese keyboard is a popular keyboard for Japanese users, but it can be a bit tricky to use on Windows 11. This guide will help you get started. The issue is that the 106-key Japanese keyboard has a different layout than a 101-key keyboard. For instance if you press the \ (backslash) key on a 106-key keyboard, it will type nothing. As a non-administrator, you can't install the Japanese keyboard driver. The regular way of using the time and language settings to change to the 106-key Japanese keyboard doesn't work.

As a administrator, you can use the Keyboard Setup Guide to use the 106-key Japanese keyboard on Windows 11. But for non-administrators you will notice that the “Change hardware keyboard layout” dialogue will not be visible. It is also not possible to login as an administrator and open the settings app.

Prerequisites

Installation

  1. Download the Google IME
  2. Install the Google IME
  3. Restart your computer
  4. Select the Google IME in the language bar
  5. Enjoy your 106-key Japanese keyboard