Switch between languages using the Language bar
After you enable the keyboard layout for two or more languages in the Windows operating system, you can use the Language bar to switch between languages that use different keyboard layouts.
Note: If you just want to insert a few symbols or foreign characters, and you only type in languages with a Latin alphabet, such as English or Spanish, you can insert symbols without switching to a different keyboard layout.
For more information about adding additional editing languages and keyboard layouts see Change the language Office uses in its menus and proofing tools.
Using the Language bar to Switch Keyboard Layouts
When you switch a language by using the Language bar, the keyboard layout changes to the keyboard for that language.
Use the Language bar when you:
Want to switch between languages with a Latin alphabet, such as English, Spanish, or French, and a language with a non-Latin alphabet, such as Arabic or Chinese.
Want to switch between languages with a non-Latin alphabet, such as Greek or Russian.
Prefer to use native keyboard layouts when you type in different languages that have a Latin alphabet.
After you have enabled the keyboard language that you want, open your document and place the cursor in the document where you want to start to type text in a different language.
Click the language icon 
on the Language bar, which should appear on your task bar near where the clock is, and then click the language that you want to use.
Keyboard shortcut: To switch between keyboard layouts, press Alt+Shift.
Note: The icon is just an example; it shows that English is the language of the active keyboard layout. The actual icon shown on your computer depends on the language of the active keyboard layout and version of Windows.
If you have set up more than one keyboard layout for a single language, you can switch between layouts by clicking the keyboard layout icon on the Language bar and then clicking the keyboard layout that you want to use. The name on the indicator changes to reflect the active keyboard layout.
Repeat steps 1 and 2 to switch between different languages.
I don’t see the Language bar
In most cases, the Language bar automatically appears on your desktop or in the taskbar after you enable two or more keyboard layouts in the Windows operating system. You cannot see the Language bar if it is hidden or only one keyboard layout is enabled in the Windows operating system.
If you don’t see the Language bar, do the following to check to see if the Language bar is hidden:
In Windows 10 and Windows 8
Press the Windows logo key and type Control to search for the Control Panel app.
Click Control Panel.
Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change input methods.
Click Advanced settings.
Under Switching input methods, select the Use the desktop language bar when it’s available check box, and then click Options.
In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, click the Language Bar tab, and make sure that either the Floating On Desktop or the Docked in the taskbar option is selected.
Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Under Clock, Language, and Region, click Change keyboard or other input methods.
In the Region and Language dialog box, click Change keyboards.
In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, click the Language Bar tab.
Under Language Bar, check if the Hidden option is selected. If it is, select either Floating on Desktop or Docked in the taskbar.
Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
Under Clock, Language, and Regional Options, click Change keyboard or other input methods.
In the Regional and Language Options dialog box, click Change keyboards.
In the Text Services and Input Languages dialog box, click the Language Bar tab.
Under Language Bar, check if the Hidden option is clicked. If it is, click either Floating on Desktop or Docked in the taskbar.
How to Fix Language Bar Missing from Taskbar (Windows 10, 8, 7 or Vista)
Last updated on July 12th, 2017
The «language bar missing from taskbar» issue is a common problem on all Windows versions. In most cases the language bar has disappeared from taskbar after a Windows update or after upgrading Windows to a newer version.
This time the language bar has disappeared after upgrading a Windows 8.1 based computer to Windows 10. To resolve this problem at first, I double checked that the language bar is already enabled from the language options in control panel (Method-1) and then I proceeded to apply a registry hack and the issue was resolved (Method-2).
In this tutorial you ‘ll find detailed instruction on how to fix the «language bar missing from taskbar» issue on Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7 & Vista.
How to fix: Language Bar has Disappeared on Windows 10/8/7/Vista.
Method 1. Enable Language Bar from Control Panel.
First, ensure that the Language Bar is enabled.* To do that:
* Notice: Keep in mind that the language bar isn’t displayed if you haven’t installed more than than one input languages on your system.
1. Navigate to Windows Control Panel.
- In Windows 7 or Vista :
- Click Start >Control Panel.
- In Windows 10 or 8, 8.1 :
- Right click on Start menu
and select Control Panel.
- Right click on Start menu
and select Control Panel.
2. Change the View by: to Small icons.
3. Select Region and Language. *
* In Windows 10 , select Language and continue here.
4A. Windows 7 & Vista : Select the Keyboard and Languages tab and click Change keyboards.
-
- Then select the Language Bar tab and make sure that the «Docked in the taskbar» option is checked.
- Click OK to exit. If the language bar is still missing then proceed to Method-2.
4B. Windows 10 , 8.1 & 8
-
- Check the «Use the desktop language bar when it’s available» checkbox and then click Options.
-
- Make sure that the «Docked in the taskbar» option is checked and then click OK. If the language is still missing then proceed to Method-2.
Method 2. Enable Language bar by using Registry.
Important: For preventive purposes, always create a restore point before modifying the registry. If after registry modification, something goes wrong then restore your system to this restore point.
- To create a restore point:
a. Type Create a restore point at the search box and then click on the result.
b. Then click the Create button, to immediately create a restore point.
To Enable the Language bar through Registry:
1. Open Windows Registry Editor. To do that:
1. Press the Windows + R keys to load the Run dialog box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter.
2. At the left pane, navigate to this key:
3. Right click at an empty space at the right pane and select New > String Value.
4. Give at the new value the name: CTFMON.
5. Double click at the newly created value and at the value data box, type:
- C:\Windows\System32\ctfmon.exe
6. Click OK and then close Registry Editor.
7. Restart you computer and you ‘re done!
That’s it! Let me know if this guide has helped you by leaving your comment about your experience. Please like and share this guide to help others.
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23 Comments
Andrew
October 3, 2020 @ 7:59 pm
The plan «B» worked for my w7 just fine .
Thank you very much!
Mohamed Ashour
June 10, 2020 @ 8:31 am
The problem is solved.
But, after a few days, it return the same problem randomly.
PLEASE, I NEED FINAL SOLUTION FOR THIS SILLY PROBLEM.
PLEASE HELP ME.
I NEED TO KNOW THE CAUSE OF THIS SILLY PROBLEM.
k.boonsong
April 6, 2020 @ 10:54 am
thank you very much.
Chris
October 29, 2019 @ 9:28 am
Gonzo
October 14, 2019 @ 8:48 pm
It worked great. This guide is very usefull
. thanks a lot.
LC
September 25, 2019 @ 3:34 am
Thank you so much for your help! It really worked. Thank you again.
Naywonni
August 30, 2019 @ 3:09 am
Thanks , Very Useful.
ben
August 13, 2019 @ 6:14 pm
Joe
July 17, 2019 @ 7:46 am
The registry fix got the language toolbar back into my taskbar. Thank you for the very clear instructions. Meanwhile, I’ve learned the shortcut, which is left Alt + Shift. Checking the running processes in the task manager shows ctfmon.exe (CTF Loader) is running now, whereas before the fix, it was not seen int the processes list.
Bobby Zopfan
July 6, 2019 @ 4:48 am
Thanks!!
You solved a very big problem in a very very easy way!!
Megan Duguid
June 28, 2019 @ 5:28 pm
Very useful, and thanks you so much!
Amber
June 8, 2019 @ 5:21 pm
Thanks! I’ve got it back. QQ
Pariny
March 8, 2019 @ 8:51 am
Thanks ! It works like a charm.
Samuel Johnson
March 1, 2019 @ 2:50 am
Thank you. This worked. The answer supplied at «StackOverflow» did not. Good work!
Neil
January 2, 2019 @ 4:31 am
Thank you so much. I spent days trying to rejuvenate IME after it disappeared suddenly after a Windows update. I was hesitant about using the Registry change, but your clear instructions were easy to follow and IT WORKED perfectly!
Gintautas
October 19, 2018 @ 12:13 pm
saiyang2015@gmail.com
October 9, 2018 @ 6:40 pm
thank you very much. It worked for me in this theory.
DM
August 16, 2018 @ 10:37 am
Hannah
July 31, 2018 @ 1:35 pm
Wow! This actually worked! I followed a similar tutorial that also had me modify the registry but in a slightly different Manner and it didn’t work. This did.
Chris
July 11, 2018 @ 2:01 am
Thank you very much – that was very useful!
Abiir
January 8, 2018 @ 11:52 am
Thanks for the solution
Aang saeful laksana
November 9, 2019 @ 11:45 am
Thank you very much its amazing way. A long time i searched this way. Many years. And Finally i found you. Thank you 3000 x
TM Prasad
October 31, 2017 @ 11:57 am