Input Method - Set Default Language in Windows 8

How to Set a Default Input Method or Keyboard Layout Language in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

By default, the default input method for typing is the first added language in your language list unless set by you to use another listed language as the default input method instead. Whenever you sign out, restart, or shut down the computer, the input method will automatically reset back to what you have set as the default language.

This tutorial will show you how to set a default input method or keyboard layout language from your language list to type in by default for your user account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Here's How:

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

2. Click/tap on the input indicator system icon in the notification area on the taskbar, lick/tap on 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.

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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)

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5. Click/tap on the Advanced settings link at the top left. (see screenshot below)

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6. Under Override for default input method, click/tap on the drop down box, select either a language (input method) or to Use language list, and click/tap on Save. (see screenshots below)
NOTE: Use language list is the default setting.

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7. If you selected Use language list in step 6, then select (highlight) an added language in your language list, then click/tap on Move up until it is first (top) in the list order so it will be used as the default input method. (see screenshot below)

   Warning

This can also affect your default display language as well if you change the order of the language you have set as it.

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8. When finished, you can close the Language window if you like. (see screenshot above)




That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Add or Remove Input Methods for Keyboard Layout in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Add or Remove Languages in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Install and Uninstall Language Packs in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change the "Windows Display Language" in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Turn the Desktop Language Bar On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Create a "Language Settings" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change the Language for Non-Unicode Programs in Windows

 

[bagavan]

Another great tutorial brink!!

 

[Brink]

Thank you Manjunath. I'm glad you like it.

 

[timtak]

Thanks for this. I had a problem where Win8 would always assume that my keyboard layout is the same as my input language, and not forget the keyboard layout until reboot. I want an English display language but a Japanese input language. I have now over-ridden the input language of the English display language to Japanese. Thanks.

 

[Brink]

I'm glad it could help Tim.