Typing French accents on Windows 10 is surprisingly straightforward, and you do not need any special equipment. The easiest way to get those lovely é, à, ç, and û characters is by adding a French keyboard layout to your system. You just head into your Windows settings, find the “Time & Language” section, then “Language,” and simply add either the French (Canada) or French (France) language pack. Once it is installed, a quick press of the Windows key and spacebar lets you switch between your regular English keyboard and the French one, making accent typing a breeze.
Tutorial – How to Type French Accents on Windows 10
These steps will guide you through adding a French keyboard layout to your Windows 10 computer, allowing you to easily type all the necessary French accented characters whenever you need them. It is like giving your existing keyboard a smart upgrade.
Step 1: Open your Windows Settings.
You can do this by clicking the Start button, which looks like a little window logo in the bottom-left corner of your screen. Then look for the gear icon, usually found right above the power button in the Start menu. Clicking this opens a new window with all your computer’s settings.
Step 2: Navigate to “Time & Language.”
Once you are in the Settings window, you will see a bunch of different categories. Scan through them until you spot “Time & Language,” which often has a clock icon next to it. Click that to move to the next set of options for your system.
Step 3: Select “Language” from the left-hand menu.
On the left side of the “Time & Language” window, there will be a list of sub-categories. Find and click on “Language.” This is where all the magic happens for adding new keyboards and language preferences to your system.
Step 4: Add a preferred language.
Look for a section that says “Preferred languages.” Underneath or nearby, you will see an option to “Add a language” or “Add a preferred language.” Click on this button to bring up a list of languages you can install on your computer.
Step 5: Search for and select “French.”
In the search bar that appears, type “French.” You will likely see options like “French (France),” “French (Canada),” and others. Pick the one you prefer; their keyboard layouts might differ slightly, but both will give you accents. Then click “Next” to continue.
Step 6: Install the language pack.
After selecting French, you will see a window asking about optional language features. You only need the keyboard, so you can uncheck Language pack and the speech and handwriting options to save space. Most importantly, make sure Install language pack and set as my Windows display language is not checked unless you want Windows menus in French. Then click Install. Once the language is installed, you can also turn on spell check in Windows 10 so misspelled words are highlighted as you type.
Step 7: Switch between keyboard layouts.
Once installed, you can switch between your English keyboard and the new French keyboard by pressing the Windows key and the spacebar at the same time. A small pop-up will appear, letting you choose your desired layout. You can also click the language icon in your taskbar, usually near the clock, which might say “ENG” or “FRA.”
After you have completed these steps, you will have the ability to switch effortlessly between your standard English keyboard and the new French keyboard layout. This means you can now type all those essential French accents and special characters directly, without needing to memorize complicated Alt codes or copy-paste from other sources.
Easier Option: Use the US-International Keyboard
If you type mostly in English and only need French accents now and then, the United States-International layout is often easier than a French AZERTY keyboard, because all your letters stay in the same place. Add it under Settings > Time & Language > Language: click English (United States), choose Options > Add a keyboard and pick United States-International.
It uses “dead keys.” You press the accent key first, then the letter:
| Type | Then | Result |
|---|---|---|
| ' (apostrophe) | e | é |
| ` (grave) | a, e, u | à, è, ù |
| ^ (Shift + 6) | a, e, i, o, u | â, ê, î, ô, û |
| " (Shift + ') | e, i, u | ë, ï, ü |
| ' (apostrophe) | c | ç |
To type a normal apostrophe or quotation mark, press the key and then the Spacebar. You can also use Right Alt + , for ç.
Type French Accents with Alt Codes
Without changing keyboards, hold Alt and type the code on the numeric keypad (not the number row), then release Alt. Num Lock must be on.
| Character | Alt code | Character | Alt code |
|---|---|---|---|
| é | Alt + 0233 | É | Alt + 0201 |
| è | Alt + 0232 | È | Alt + 0200 |
| ê | Alt + 0234 | à | Alt + 0224 |
| â | Alt + 0226 | À | Alt + 0192 |
| ç | Alt + 0231 | Ç | Alt + 0199 |
| ô | Alt + 0244 | î | Alt + 0238 |
| ù | Alt + 0249 | û | Alt + 0251 |
| ë | Alt + 0235 | ï | Alt + 0239 |
| œ | Alt + 0156 | « » | Alt + 0171 / 0187 |
Other Quick Ways to Insert Accents
- Emoji panel: press Windows key + . (period), click the Ω symbols tab and choose Latin symbols.
- Touch keyboard: on a touchscreen, press and hold a letter such as e to see its accented versions.
- Microsoft Word shortcuts: Ctrl + ' then e gives é, Ctrl + ` then a gives à, and Ctrl + , then c gives ç. These only work in Office apps.
- Character Map: search Start for Character Map, find the letter, click Select and Copy. See also how to add special characters in Word.
Troubleshooting French Accents
- Alt codes type nothing or the wrong character. You’re using the number row, Num Lock is off, or the laptop has no numeric keypad. Use the US-International keyboard or the emoji panel instead.
- My apostrophes and quotes stopped working. The US-International layout is active. Press the key followed by Space, or switch layouts with Windows key + Spacebar.
- The keyboard keeps switching on its own. Left Alt + Shift toggles layouts. Turn that shortcut off in Advanced keyboard settings > Input language hot keys.
- Windows menus turned French. The display language was changed during setup. Set English back as the Windows display language in Language settings.
- Accents show as question marks or boxes. The file or app is using an old encoding. Save files as UTF-8, or try another font.
Tips for Typing French Accents on Windows 10
- Explore Keyboard Layouts: Remember that “French (France)” and “French (Canada)” might have slightly different key placements for some symbols. If one does not feel right, try the other to see which suits your typing style better.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Typing with a new keyboard layout can feel awkward at first. Spend some time practicing typing common French words to get used to where all the accents and special characters are located.
- Use the On-Screen Keyboard: If you are ever unsure where a specific accent is on the French keyboard layout, you can use the On-Screen Keyboard. Just search for “On-Screen Keyboard” in your Windows search bar, open it, and then switch your language to French to see the visual layout.
- Alt Codes as a Backup: While adding the French keyboard is super efficient, knowing a few common Alt codes for accents can be handy for rare occasions or if you are on a computer where you cannot change the language settings. For example, Alt+0233 types é.
- Learn the Accent Rules: Understanding when to use which accent in French (like acute, grave, circumflex) will not only improve your typing but also your overall French writing accuracy. It is a win-win situation, really.
- Shortcut for Switching: The Windows key + Spacebar shortcut is your best friend for quickly toggling between English and French layouts. It is much faster than going through the taskbar icon every single time you need to switch.
Frequently Asked Questions About Typing French Accents
Do I need to buy a special French keyboard?
No, absolutely not! You do not need any special hardware. Your existing English keyboard works perfectly fine. Windows 10 simply reassigns what each key does when you switch to the French language layout, allowing you to type all the accents without purchasing anything new.
Can I use Alt codes instead of adding a French keyboard?
Yes, you can definitely use Alt codes. They work by holding down the Alt key and typing a specific number code on your numeric keypad. However, this method can be slower and requires memorizing many codes, so adding the French keyboard is generally much more efficient for frequent use.
What is the difference between French (France) and French (Canada) layouts?
The main differences often involve the placement of certain punctuation marks and symbols. For instance, the “French (Canada)” layout might be closer to a North American English keyboard layout in some ways, while “French (France)” follows European standards. Both will give you access to French accents, so it is mostly a matter of personal preference and what feels most natural to you.
Will adding a French keyboard change my entire computer’s language?
No, adding a French keyboard layout only changes how your physical keyboard inputs characters. It does not alter your Windows display language, which means your menus, settings, and other system text will remain in English. You are just gaining an extra tool for typing, not changing your entire operating system language. If you do want the menus in French too and your PC runs Windows 11, see how to change the language in Windows 11.
How do I type the cedilla (ç) with the French keyboard?
On most French keyboard layouts, the cedilla (ç) is typically found by pressing the “9” key on the main row, often combined with the Shift key. Sometimes it is also accessible via the apostrophe key or another symbol key, depending on the specific layout you chose. The on-screen keyboard can help you locate it if you are unsure.
My accents are not showing up correctly. What should I do?
First, double-check that you have actually switched to the French keyboard layout. Look at the language indicator in your taskbar, usually near the clock; it should say “FRA” or something similar. If it still is not working, try restarting your computer, as this can sometimes resolve minor software glitches. Also, ensure you have the correct French language pack installed.
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Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.