Language Bar - Turn On or Off in Windows 8

How to Turn the Desktop Language Bar On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
How you switch between input methods depends on the app and which text services are installed on your PC. Some apps don't work with the new way of switching between input methods in Windows 8. For these apps, you can use the Language bar from previous versions of Windows to switch between input methods. Closing the Language bar doesn’t remove any languages from your PC so if you don't need it for a specific app, you can turn it off.

This will show you how to turn on or off the Language bar to use on your desktop instead of the new metro way to switch input methods in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note   Note
This is the new default way to switch between input methods on the taskbar from the desktop in Windows 8.

input_indicator_icon.jpg


  • If you turn on the Language bar, you will have the Language bar available on the desktop instead of the new metro way above.
  • If you turn off the Language bar (default), you will have the new metro way on the desktop instead of the Language bar.


EXAMPLE: Language Bar
NOTE: This is with the Language bar either docked in the taskbar (top) or floating on the desktop (bottom) with languages (left) and input methods (right).
Docked_on_Taskbar_Added_Language.jpgDocked_on_Taskbar_Input_Method.jpg
Floating_on_Desktop_Added_Language.jpgFloating_on_Desktop-input-method.jpg




Here's How:

1. Do step 2, 3, or 4 below for how you would like to open Language.


2. Click/tap on the input indicator system icon in the notification area on the taskbar, click/tap on Change language preferences, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: The input indicator system icon will only be displayed if you had already previously
added a language.


Language_Bar-1.jpg


3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Language icon, and go to step 5 below.

4. In Windows 8 or Windows RT, open PC settings, click/tap on General on the left side, click/tap on the Language Preferences link under Language on the right side, and go to step 5 below. (see screenshot below)
General-reset.jpg

5. In the left pane, click/tap on the Advanced settings link, then do step 6 or 7 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
Language_Bar-3.jpg

6. To Turn On the Desktop Language Bar
A) Under Switching input methods, click/tap to check the Use the desktop language bar when it's available box. (see screenshot below step 8)​
NOTE: The Language bar will only be available if there is more than one added language or input method, and is not set to be hidden in Options below.​
B) If you like, click/tap on Options to the right of the Use the desktop language bar when it's available, select the Language bar options you would like, click on OK to apply, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below)​
Text_Services-2.jpg

7. To Turn Off the Desktop Language Bar
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Under Switching input methods, click/tap to uncheck the Use the desktop language bar when it's available box, and go to step 8 below. (see screenshot below step 8)​

8. Click/tap on Save. (see screenshot below)
Language_Bar-4.jpg

9. Close the Language window. (see screenshot below step 5)


That's it,
Shawn


 

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All of a sudden after lois was using the laptop ENG is showing on the bottom right of the systems tray, i dont seem to be able to remove it or hide it. any ideas.

edit, got it,
i set it to transparent when inactive and left the other boxes unchecked. odd it showed in the first place.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 /windows 8 Dev
Hello Julian,

You might double check to see if Lois may have added a language other than the default one to trigger the language bar to show.

Hope this helps. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
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    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
thanks shawn, it was only showing one language,

i recently installed xbmc and i think it may oddly be related. before the last laptop i had died i installed xbmc and the language bar started to show on that also , the language bar never shows for me and in years of using 7 it never did until xbmc,
i cant quite see how this could be related but it is a huge co-incidence.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 /windows 8 Dev

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
thanks shawn, i checked but again there was only one input method, no worries its not showing now so i dont mind.
thanks for your help :D
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 7 /windows 8 Dev
You're welcome Julian. Odd that program would cause that.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Help !! g.png There's no input indicator icon, and after I turned it on, nothing is displayed there. Before it's "ENG" or something like that, then I didn't notice that the icon is gone and I can't switch to other language. After following the tutorial guide, I've added a "ctfmon"="CTFMON.EXE" in the regEdit, and I am able to type in Chinese again. But the thing I want to ask is : Is it possible to have the language indicator like you show in the first picture? (Note : I had it before, but it suddenly turn the icon off automatically even if I switch it on every time.) Thank you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Hello Kevinlor, and welcome to Eight Forums.

The input indicator system icon will only be displayed if you had already previously added a language. Do you have more than one language added?

Do you add an input method?

Ctfmon is for Office instead. It's not related to this tutorial.

 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thanks for the quick reply, I do have more than one language input, g.png (English and Chinese) Now I can switch them by pressing Shift . (Before this, I switch between languages using shift + alt. And the indicator icon was showing in the task bar. The icon disappeared.) I just wanna have the input indicator input like I used to have, I've showed and asked the guy in the pc shop who sold me this laptop, he also have no idea about it and advised me to reformat my laptop. :cry:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I'm assuming that you have everything set like in step 6.

You might see if removing and adding the Chinese input method, or adding any language may trigger the language indicator icon on the taskbar again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Yep, g.png. And I've tried to remove and adding the language back, nothing changed. (I think my laptop may be infected be virus?) If it's rare case and the problem can't be solved in the moment, never mind, I still can type in Chinese (but not in the way i use to).Thank you anyways, you've help a lot. :thumb:
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
I just noticed that in your screenshot that there's a space on your taskbar just to the left of the clock on the far right still there where the language bar would be. If you click on this space, does it open the language bar by chance?

You might see if resetting the notification area may help.

If still not, then see if running a sfc /scannow command may help if it's a corrupted file issue.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
I've tried resetting the notification area, still didn't work. Then I remove the US English. The language icon turned into the style that looks alike with Windows 7. Then the US English didn't go away too.....
g.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
You're currently using the English language since it shows as checked. Once you select the other language, it should go away possibly after a restart.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Thank you for your help these days, I have just refreshed my laptop and the problem seems to go away. Thank you very much.thank-you.gif
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8
Great news Kevin. You're welcome. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
After running some games I had the issue of the language changer thingy appeared near my clock and i didn't know how to disable it but after finding this and checking the box Use the desktop language bar when it's available (it was unchecked = disabled) the thingy near the clock is gone and I hope it's gone for good ^^
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Build by myself
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-2300
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte GA-Z68AP-D3
    Memory
    Kingston HyperX KHX1600C9D3/4GX 4GB @ 1600 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Palit nVIDIA GTS 450
    Sound Card
    Build in on motherboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG L1918S and BenQ FP72G+D
    Screen Resolution
    each monitor has 1280x1024
    Hard Drives
    Seagate ST3500418AS (465 GB)
    PSU
    Chieftec and I don't remember how many W, either 500 or 550W
I need help. For some reason ENG suddenly appeared on my taskbar and I can't get it to go away. I use a custom keyboard layout and what appears happened is that Windows for whatever reason has removed it from the list of languages and re-added English (United States). It shows that it's there when I hover over the ENG symbol but in the languages panel I had English (United States) removed and only my custom layout but the custom layout is gone and doesn't even appear in the list when I try to re-add it so I can remove English (United States) again to make the ENG thing disappear because the language bar settings straight up don't work at all.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    i7 4930K
    Motherboard
    Asus X79 Deluxe
    Memory
    G.Skill Ares Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR3 1866
    Graphics Card(s)
    EVGA GTX 560 Ti
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 840 EVO SSD,
    4TB WD Red,
    1TB WD Black (x3),
    2TB Seagate External
    PSU
    Corsair RM850 80+ Gold
    Case
    Thermaltake Chaser MK-I
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D14 SE2011
    Mouse
    Logitech G600
    Browser
    Firefox
    Other Info
    Waiting to update graphics card for something like a Titan 2. More 4TB Reds will be purchased in the future, phasing the 1TB Blacks out.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
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