Applies to Windows 8, Windows RT

Input method editors (IMEs)

Input method editors or IMEs make it easier to type in languages (usually but not limited to East Asian ones) that are made up of thousands of characters that can't fit on a standard keyboard. When you buy a new Windows 8 or Windows RT PC, or install Windows 8 on an older PC, and add a language, Windows will automatically assign either a default keyboard or an IME for each language on the PC. You can also add additional IMEs if you want.

Note

Note

  • Some IMEs don't work in the new Windows user interface.

Add additional IMEs

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

  2. Enter language in the search box, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Add a language.

  3. In the list of languages, tap or click Options and then Add an input method.

  4. Tap or click Add, choose an input method, and tap or click Save.

If you’ve added more than one language to your PC, you can use the language you want by switching between IMEs or keyboard layouts.

Note

Note

  • If you up upgraded to Windows 8 from an older version of Windows and selected Keep Windows settings and personal files, your previously installed IMEs will appear in the IME layout list but won't be useable. You'll need to delete them and add the Windows 8 version of the IME.

Switch between different IMEs

  • If you’re using a standard keyboard, keep the Windows logo key Windows logo key pressed and press Space repeatedly till you reach the language you want.

  • If you’re using a touchscreen or mouse, on the touch keyboard or in the desktop taskbar, tap or click the abbreviation for the language that’s selected. In the list that appears, tap or click the language you want to switch to.

    Language abbreviation button in the touch keyboardLanguage abbreviation button in the touch keyboard
    Language abbreviation button in the desktop taskbarLanguage abbreviation button in the desktop taskbar

  • You can also do this from the Settings charm:

    1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Settings.
      (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Settings.)

    2. Tap or click the abbreviation for the language that's selected.

    3. In the list that appears, tap or click the language you want to switch to.

      Settings charm showing the abbreviation for the selected language Settings charm showing the abbreviation for the selected language

Use different input mode settings for apps

In Windows 8 the default setting is for IMEs to use a shared input mode settings across all apps. To use different input mode settings for each app follow these steps:

  1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, and then tap Search.
    (If you're using a mouse, point to the upper-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer down, and then click Search.)

  2. Enter language in the search box, tap or click Settings, and then tap or click Language.

  3. Tap or click Advanced settings.

  4. Select the Let me set a different input method for each app window check box, then tap or click Save.

Switch between IME modes

The IME mode icon helps you switch between alphanumeric and native language characters.

  • If you’re using the Share or Search charm or an app from the Windows Store, press and hold or right-click in any text box and this will bring up the IME mode icon.

  • On the desktop, tap or click the IME mode icon on the touch keyboard or the taskbar. To see more IME options, press and hold or right-click the icon in the taskbar.

Notes

Notes

  • The keyboard shortcut Alt + Hiragana/Katakana doesn't switch the Kana input mode on all Windows Store apps.

  • Old Hangul IME for Korean is now available.

  • Here are the list of some IMEs that are no longer available:

    For Simplified Chinese

    • Microsoft ABC IME

    • Microsoft Pinyin NewExperience

    • ShuangPin

    • QuanPin

    • ZhengMa

    For Traditional Chinese:

    • Microsoft New ChangJie

    • Microsoft New Quick

    • Microsoft Phonetic