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Following the instructions in this thread, I added the Dvorak layout to the Regional and Language Options control panel, set it as the default keyboard layout and removed the US (QWERTY) layout.
However, even though I removed the QWERTY layout, it still appears in my language bar, and my system defaults to it in every new window. This persists after a log-out/log-in and even a system restart.
I have noticed this behavior in multiple versions of Windows, including Windows XP and Windows Server 2008.
How do I remove the QWERTY keyboard layout from my system permanently?
Alternatively (if outright removing QWERTY is just impossible), can I get Windows to default to Dvorak instead of QWERTY for new windows/documents?
1Thanks for your response. I have updated my OP with a screenshot. The only difference between what I have tried and what you have suggested is that I outright removed QWERTY from my list of installed layouts. Perhaps that is where I went wrong. – None – 2011-03-27T20:07:42.240
1Also, the keyboard shortcut workaround can be augmented by assigning the Dvorak layout a different icon than QWERTY so that it is easier to tell when a window is using one or the other. Good tip, though; so far, this has been the keyboard layout equivalent of life support for me! – None – 2011-03-27T20:09:08.823
1can you add QWERTY back and then change the default layout to DVORAK and then remove QWERTY it again. Maybe that can help? – rzlines – 2011-03-27T21:15:53.153
Huh. That seems to have done the trick! Thanks for your help! – None – 2011-03-27T21:18:48.047
Glad that this solved it for you.. I think I did that once so was hoping that would solve it. – rzlines – 2011-03-27T23:42:02.653
Interesting developments. If I remove the QWERTY layout, Windows will always default to it. But if I leave it in the list and select Dvorak as the default layout, Windows will honor my choice. The change does not persist after a logout/restart, but it's a much better solution so far than having to continually glance at my language bar. – None – 2011-03-28T17:20:27.897
apparently when I used to use DVORAK, I had it as the only layout installed. – rzlines – 2011-04-03T14:08:51.333