I am Chinese. Every computer I use extensively must have an additional input method that allows me to type in Chinese. Windows 8 is no different, since I have started using it on daily basis. Here is how I add it.
To add it
First, press Win + W to bring up Setting Search charm and type in “language”, and choose Language to open Language window.
Click Add a language in Change your language preferences settings.
Find your language from the long list, in this case, it’s Chinese (Simplified). And double click to add it. Once it’s done, the Language window looks something like this.
Now click Option to change input settings. For the input I choose, Pinyin SimpleFast, there are a lot of options for me to check and change. I especially like the UI customization where I can change the font to make my input experience much enjoyable.
Now, save the change, go back to Language window. It’s time to set up the hot keys to make the switching input methods much easier. Go to Advanced Settings, and click Change language bar hot keys.
Highlight the input method from the list, and click Change Key Sequence button. I like to use Ctrl+Shift+0 to switch from English to Chinese input.
To use it
At any place where I can type, I can simply press Ctrl+Shift+0 to switch to Chinese input, and start typing in Chinese. And press Ctrl+Space to switch back to English. From what I have been using, it works great.
What’s even better is in the Windows 8 app where a balloon pops up at the typing area indicating that you can switch input methods when needed.
nice tips, thanks! I find windows 8 very user-friendly once you get to know it a bit.
I like to see how to hand write input chinese by using on screen k b. thanks
Hi Kent, hopefully maybe you can help me in this. I’m teaching chinese language in schools. When typing word documents, I used to be able to put the hanyu pinyin on top of the chinese characters I need to, but with windows 8, I can’t seem to find this function in word.
It’s a Word feature so it should still work in Windows 8. It’s the Phonetic Guide feature that puts the ruby characters on top of another character. I’ve attached a screenshot that shows where you can locate it in Word 2013.