Google Pinyin is a popular and convenient input method for Chinese which is based on the Pinyin input system. The following links give detailed instructions on how to install and configure the software. NOTE: The Google Pinyin input system is not compatible with the Microsoft IME Pad for Chinese writing.

Sevel websites provide Chinese characters online input methods. No Chinese IME is needed to install in the computer. Internet connection is required. 

Search East Asian Scripts in KU Library Catalog http://catalog.lib.ku.edu 

When you add Chinese, Japanese, or Korean on a Windows computer, Windows uses a built-in Microsoft IME (input method) to help you type characters with your keyboard. However, this built-in IME is very inefficient, and installing Google IME is recommended instead (see “How to Use Google IME for a Windows Operating System” below for details).

Add a language to your computer for a Windows operating system with the default Microsoft IME (There are 3 methods):

Method 1 (works for Windows 10 and 8.1)

1. Click the  icon on your task bar.
    
2. Scroll to the Settings icon on the list (If you are using Windows 8.1, click Settings, then click Change PC settings)

3. Select the Time and Language icon from the selection:
   
   
    
4. Select Region & language from the menu.

5. Select Add a language

6. Choose the language you wish to add from the list. Traditional and simplified Chinese are two separate options.
    
7. IF you wish to add Traditional Chinese, you will need to change your keyboard iput to Pinyin using the following steps. First, select Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR). When the language has been added, click on it and press the Options button. Then select Add a keyboard and choose Microsoft Bopomofo. Click Microsoft Bopomofo and select Options. Navitagate to the Keyboard Layout section, select the drop-down menu, and choose Hanyu Pinyin.

Method 2 (works for Windows 10, 8.1, and 8)

1. Click the  icon on your task bar.
    
2. Search for Control Panel
    
3. Under Clock, Language, and Region, select Add a Language
    
4. Choose the language you wish to add from the list.
    
5. IF you wish to add Traditional Chinese, you will need to change your keyboard iput to Pinyin using the following steps. First, select Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR). When the language has been added, click on it and press the Options button. Then select Add a keyboard and choose Microsoft Bopomofo. Click Microsoft Bopomofo and select Options. Navitagate to the Keyboard Layout section, select the drop-down menu, and choose Hanyu Pinyin.

Method 3 (Works for Windows 7)

Select Clock, Language and Region in the control panel, then click the Region and Language button, and select the Keyboards and Languages tab. Click Change keyboards, then press the Add button. Select the language you want. Click Okay, then click Apply. Finally, select the Language Bar tab, then choose the Docked in the taskbar option, and click Okay.

When you click on Chinese, different input options will appear. Choose the one you want (‘phonetic’ or ‘new phonetic’). This sets up the default Windows IME input. To change the phonetic input to pinyin, select the Chinese keyboard in the Text Services and Input Languages tab. Select Properties, then expand the drop-down list under Keyboard layout. Select HanYu Pinyin.

How to Use Google IME for a Windows Operating System

Google IME is a better input method for typing characters than Microsoft’s built-in IME system. Download and install Google IME for your version of Windows.

To download, you can go to:

https://www.google.com/inputtools/services/features/input-method.html

Chinese:

 https://techjourney.net/free-simplifiedtraditional-chinese-pinyin-input-method-ime-from-google/

Japanese:

http://www.textfugu.com/season-4/social-learning/9-2/

Once you download and install Google IME, you will need to change the keyboard from the default Microsoft IME to the Google IME.

Switching Keyboards for Windows 10, 8.1, and 8

Navigate to the Region and Language page (see above). Click on the Chinese/Japanese/Korean Language tab, press the Options button, and switch keyboard inputs from Microsoft’s version to Google IME (谷歌) by clicking Add a keyboard.  

OR

You can also change IMEs by going to the Clock, Language, and Region tab and pressing Change input methods, clicking Options beside the language box, and then clicking Add an input method.

For Windows 7

Navigate to the Keyboards and Languages tab and click Change keyboards, click Add, select Google’s IME, and then confirm and hit Okay

Add a language to your computer for a Mac:

1. Select the “System preferences” icon 
2. Choose “Language and Region” from the options
    
3. Select the + sign underneath the language box:

4. Choose the language you wish to add from the list. Traditional and simplified Chinese are two separate options.

Switching languages with the language bar:

For a Windows operating system:

1. Click the language icon   on your task bar, then select the language you wish to use. As a shortcut you may also press Alt+Shift to switch language inputs.

For a Mac:

1. Click the language icon next to the battery icon on the top, right-hand side of the screen. Select a language from the drop-down menu.

Need More Help?
 

To Install Japanese Input on Your Computer

http://www.textfugu.com/season-4/social-learning/9-2/

To Change Your Keyboard Layout (Windows 8.1 and 7)

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/17424/windows-change-keyboard-layout

Windows 7 Chinese Input

https://eastasiastudent.net/china/windows-7-chinese-input/

Change Keyboard Layout in Windows

http://support.logitech.com/en_za/article/920?product=a0qi00000069usHAAQ

Changing the Input Language (Window 8 and 10)

https://kb.wisc.edu/page.php?id=27310

Windows 10 Pinyin Setup for Traditional Chinese Characters

https://www.pinyinjoe.com/windows-10/windows-10-traditional-chinese-pinyin-input-setup.htm

Chinese Pinyin Setup in Windows 10

https://www.pinyinjoe.com/windows-10/windows-10-pinyin-setup.htm

Installing Language Keyboards in Windows 7

https://egarc.ku.edu/installing-language-keyboards-windows-7