A "keyboard layout" dictates the character produced when a specific key is pressed. While the physical hardware (QWERTY, AZERTY) remains static, the software mapping determines the output. Users typically need to change layouts to type in different languages (e.g., switching from English to Spanish) or to utilize region-specific standards (e.g., switching from US layout to United Kingdom layout).
Windows 11 retains the legacy shortcuts for rapid switching: change keyboard layout windows 11