Windows allows the user to change the keyboard layouts when they need to type in another language. On adding a language to your Windows PC, the default keyboard layout for that language is installed automatically.
Usually, a Language Bar is displayed in the notification area on your taskbar if you have more than one language or keyboard layout installed on your Windows 11 PC. Using this language bar, you can change the display language. You can also use the Windows + Spacebar keyboard shortcut to cycle through all the installed languages and choose one of them.
This language bar can be configured to be shown on the desktop as a floating language bar or docked in the taskbar on Windows 11. In this article, we have detailed the steps that will help you display the language bar on the desktop or the taskbar on your Windows 11 computer.
Show Language Bar on Desktop in Windows 11
By default, the language bar icon is displayed on the right side of the taskbar on your Windows 11 PC. To see the language bar as a floating window on the desktop, follow the steps mentioned below.
1. Open the Windows Settings app using the Windows and I key combination on your keyboard.
On the Settings page, choose the Time & language tab on the left panel.
2. Now, move over to the right side and click on the box with the text Typing.
Once you are on the Typing Settings page, scroll down and click on the tile labeled Advanced keyboard settings.
3. In the Advanced keyboard settings window that opens, check the box next to Use the desktop language bar when it’s available.
Next, click on the link Language bar options.
4. This will open the Text Services and Input Languages window.
Here, choose the Language Bar tab.
In the Language Bar section, select the radio button next to Floating On Desktop.
5. Then, click on the Apply button and then on OK to save the changes.
You will now see the language bar as a floating window on the desktop as shown below.
Show Language Bar on Taskbar in Windows 11
If the Language bar disappears from the taskbar or is changed over to a floating window on the desktop, then use the steps below to show it again on the taskbar.
1. Press the Windows + R key combination on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
Type ms-settings:typing and hit the Enter key to open the Typing Settings in Time & Language.
2. On this page, scroll down and locate the Advanced keyboard settings tile.
Click on this tile.
3. Once you reach the Advanced keyboard settings window, make sure to uncheck the option Use the desktop language bar when it’s available under the Switching input methods section.
Then, click on the Language bar options link at the bottom.
4. In the Text Services and Input Languages window, unselect the option Hidden if it is selected in the Language Bar tab
Tap on the Apply button and then on the OK button.
You will see the language bar displayed on the taskbar. You can just press the Windows + spacebar key combination to view the language options and then change it.
Hide Language Bar on Taskbar and Desktop in Windows 11
1. Go to the Advanced keyboard settings page in Typing Settings using the steps mentioned above.
2. Once you are on the Advanced keyboard settings page, make sure that the option Use the desktop language bar when it’s available is checked.
Then, click on the link labeled as Language bar options.
3. In the window that opens, select the Hidden option in the Language Bar tab.
Click on Apply and then on OK to confirm the changes.
4. Now, the language bar icon will no longer be visible on the taskbar as well as the desktop.
But, you can change between languages using the Windows + Spacebar keyboard shortcut.
That’s it!
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