Well, that can't be right. But you wanted this "hacked" install because of the Caps remapping, is that it?

Why don't you come to the dark side instead? We have Extend for PKL! ;-)

You mean, is there a English(UK) MSKLC install? Not sure. But getting MSKLC and compiling with it is surprisingly easy. And the VK_102 key is on all layouts; it's just pointlessly defined in the standard Colemak setup because the ANSI users don't care about it.

If you get very stuck, I can help you.

You may want to use that extra key very productively, for the Angle or even Curl(DH) ergo mod! ;-)

Actually, I've attached a Colemak[eD] file but it isn't complete with all dead key definitions and such. It's got CurlAngleWide though.

If you're using Dreymar's PKL you can temporary disable it with ctrl+shift+` (key left of the number 1)

If you're using the standard PKL for colemak it's alt+alt gr.

Okay, let's see. You've given us too little info I fear?

• What's your Windows version?
• What's your locale? English (United States) or otherwise?
• Under that locale, what's your keyboard setting(s)? Do you have only one keyboard there or several?
• Did you use the Colemak(CO) or Colemak(US) install?
• What setup option did you use to try and remove the layout?
• You say it changed all your English QWERTY layouts to Colemak?!? It really shouldn't do that and I find it very hard to believe!
• So, are you saying that you now have several Colemak layouts to choose from under your English locale?
• Recreating a QWERTY klc is not the right answer, trust me on that! :-o What did you name it, and do you see it anywhere now?

Some things you may need to understand:
• Nowadays, you select a locale (UK/US/what-have-you) and then an "input method" (usually a layout) under that.
• The Win10 locale settings are found under Settings (I hit the Win button and then type "settings") → Time & Language → Region & Language
• Then, under the right locale you can add or manage Options → Keyboards (and other things like speech recognition).
• An active layout may not be uninstalled because it's in use by the OS.
• You'll have to select/add another keyboard (make it default?) and also remove the offending keyboard in the settings.
• Then, you can remove the installed layout like a normal program so you won't have to see it again.
• It should indeed be listed as a program if it was installed by the KLC installer!
• I have a KLC layout on my PC. Under Settings → Apps & Features, it shows as <Layout name> <creator>.
    (In my case, that's "Colemak CurlAngleWide (WIP)", creator DreymaR, size 144 KB).

Let me add a take-home message (that may be unnecessary to you but still useful to others I hope):

I don't recommend using the layout installs in this topic. They may mess with your system.

As sotolf touched on, I use my PKL version instead. It has lots of nice functionality and doesn't install anything untoward. KLC is nice, but using a hacked one is a bit drastic.

Oh dear. Sounds as if something got badly hurt then. Here's what I'd do:

• In the future, only use DreymaR Approved Products! ^_^ No, seriously...
• Select Dvorak and make it your default layout, ...
• ...or if you can't remember Dvorak typing try switching to another locale like English(United Kingdom) and add a keyboard to it making that the default
• (Or can't you even do that? What about Norwegian?)
• Remove any and all other keyboards under the US locale settings!
• Now you may have to restart your computer. Yes, this can still happen. ;-)
• Now go to "Add & Remove Programs" and see if you can find anything named something with Colemak there.
• If so, uninstall it. That should be possible once it isn't selected anywhere.
• Finally, go back to the locale settings and add back the layout you want, making that the default again.

It seems that your rogue installer has done something very naughty to your QWERTY, and it ought to be spanked for it. If the above doesn't help, try repairing your Windows. Try reinstalling the default layouts; I don't know how to, but maybe MS Support can help you. Or, failing all that, move to Linux and never look back... ;-)

I had to re-install Windows to completely fix the problem.  I would definitely not recommend using this KLC; it caused me lots of trouble.  However, I did learn a bit about MKLC so I guess it's worth it.

Hey arst33, thanks for trying Colemak, I'm sorry this has happened to you :(
As a mostly GNU/systemd/linux with a hardware Colemak keyboard I haven't been paying close attention to the language layout changes in new versions of Windows.

I tried to reproduce your issues by backing up my windows machine, installing windows updates and installing both layouts, but I cant get US Qwerty become Colemak and I could switch just fine. The installer is able to remove the layouts from the settings menu (which has not changed and is still crazy low resolution) for me as well. You mention you have a touch screen, what device are you on? I'm wondering if the Surface's keyboards interface the same way as normal HID ones.

I've removed the Corsican locale as it has been established as problematic for spell check. If you are sure it was the fault of the KLC produced by Microsoft's tool, rather than something else, I'll remove it from the OP completely in favor of something like PKL. I still much prefer the native Colemak layout on Windows over 3rd party tools, as I find it more reliable for certain applications like games.

Really though, shame on Microsoft for ignoring and publicly ridiculing the community for so long.

Michael's post made it seem like he had the authority to decide what gets included with windows. I knew nothing of the rest.

They have had Dvorak for many years, which is not any specific country's layout. You could argue that Dvorak is an ANSI (American) standard based on some pdf which costs $60 to view, but that wasn't the "official" reason for ignoring Colemak.

From the (now mostly lost) replies by Microsoft, the concern stated was that one was not able to buy a keyboard with the keycaps arranged in the Colemak layout. This has been resolved now as you can buy many keyboards (after the mechanical boom) that have Colemak arranged legends (if not hardware Colemak). Colemak is a free configuration and it would cost them literally nothing to include it as an option, saving them from being pestered.

There is no place to propose/vote for the inclusion of Colemak, and still no way to change the native layout without being an Administrator running a binary installer, leading people to reach out to anyone who would reply (even if negatively).

Seems like any effort to make Microsoft acknowledge non Qwerty layouts has died off. I find that a bad thing, as Windows is still the ubiquitous operating system and people looking to minimize computer based strain and injury are significantly disadvantage in many environments where using Windows is required (be it Educational or Professional).

Arbitrary... sure ;)

Yeah that would be the same for me, now that I've gotten used to caw I don't want to change again, I'm a believer now.

That's why I use the really nice i3wm, no menues that can be bothersome :)

They should've provided a download of alternative layouts, including Dvorak and Colemak variants! In the Dvorak world there are several flavors as well. That would've made a lot of people happier, I think. And at any rate, the time for favoring Dvorak over the rest should be over now.

I can't remember where I have the info about Dvorak and MS/ANSI from. It's probably out there on one of the Dvorak history pages?

I don't think it should be there any more; it's a horrible horrible idea to piggyback on another language just to get its icon. And since it's bound to create big trouble for some unsuspecting souls, the net is a better place without it imnsho. ;-)

If you really want one though, it should be easy enough to reverse-engineer any MSKLC layout to change its language and recompile.