Emojis bring life and emotion to our digital communications, whether in emails, social media, or documents. Windows 11 offers a seamless way to access a wide array of emojis directly from your keyboard. This guide will show you how to use the emoji keyboard in Windows 11.

Using Keyboard Shortcuts

Step 1: To open the emoji keyboard, press the Windows key + . (period) or Windows key + ; (semicolon) on your keyboard. This shortcut works in any application, instantly bringing up the emoji panel wherever you're typing.

Step 2: Upon opening, the emoji panel displays a search bar at the top and a quick view of your recently used Emojis, GIFs, Kaomoji, and Symbols.

Step 3: To browse all available emojis, click on the Emoji icon at the top of the panel. The emojis are organized into categories, making it easy to find the perfect one.

Step 4: To insert an emoji into your text, simply click on the emoji you want. If you wish to add multiple emojis, keep the panel open and continue selecting as many as you like.

Using Touch Keyboard

If you're using a touchscreen device or prefer an on-screen keyboard, accessing emojis is just as simple.

Step 1: Click the keyboard icon on your taskbar to open the Touch Keyboard. This will display the virtual keyboard on your screen.

Step 2: On the virtual keyboard, tap the emoji icon (a board with a heart) located at the top left corner. This will switch the keyboard to the emoji view.

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If the Touch Keyboard icon isn't visible on your taskbar, right-click the taskbar and select 'Taskbar settings'. Then, under 'System tray icons', find the 'Touch keyboard' option and set it to 'Always' or 'When no keyboard attached'.

Emoji Panel Features

🔎 Search: To quickly find a specific emoji, use the search bar at the top of the emoji panel. Type a keyword related to the emoji you're looking for, and matching results will appear.

👯 GIFs: Beyond emojis, the Windows 11 emoji panel also lets you insert GIFs into your messages. Switch to the GIF tab within the panel to browse popular GIFs or search for something specific.

🔣 Symbols and Kaomoji: For additional expression, explore the Symbols and Kaomoji tabs. Symbols offer a variety of characters and icons, while Kaomoji provides Japanese-style emoticons to enhance your messages.

Creating Custom Emojis in Windows 11

Windows 11 gives you the ability to personalize emojis by creating custom multi-person emojis. You can mix different face types and skin tones to create an emoji that represents you and others.

With emojis like 'family' 👨🏻‍👩🏽‍👧🏻‍👦🏼, you have over 100,000 possible combinations by selecting various genders and skin tones.

Identifying Eligible Emojis: Emojis that can be customized feature a circle in the lower right corner. Currently, eight emojis, including "handshake," "couple with heart," and "family," are available for personalization.

How to Create Your Custom Emoji

Step 1: In the emoji panel, click on an emoji that has the customization circle. This will open a pop-up menu for customization.

Step 2: In the pop-up, click the "+" button to access the customization interface. Here, you can choose the face types and skin tones you prefer.

Step 3: After selecting your desired options, click the 'Done' button. Your custom emoji will be added to the list and available for use just like any other emoji.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Emoji Keyboard Not Opening: If the emoji panel doesn't open with the keyboard shortcuts, ensure that keyboard shortcuts are enabled in your system settings. Restarting your computer might also resolve the issue.

Missing Emojis: If certain emojis are not appearing, your Windows 11 system may require an update. Go to the Settings app under 'Update & Security' to check for and install any pending updates.

Slow Performance: If the emoji panel is slow or unresponsive, it might be due to system performance issues. Closing unused applications and clearing temporary files can help improve responsiveness.

By utilizing the Windows 11 emoji keyboard, you can enrich your messages with expressive emojis, GIFs, and symbols. Whether you're customizing your own emojis or exploring the extensive library, enhancing your communication is simple and fun.