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Read & Input Chinese under English Windows
1. How to type Chinese characters in Windows 2000/XP
2. For Windows 9x/ME/NT4.0, IE 5.5 or higher versions and Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack
2.1 To install Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack
2.2 To configure the input method of simplified Chinese
2.3 To type simplified Chinese characters
3. For Windows 2000 and IE 5.0 or higher versions
3.1 Solution to read Chinese
3.2 Solution to type Chinese
4. For Windows 9x/ME/NT4.0, IE 5.0 or lower versions and Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack
4.1 To install Microsoft Chinese Language Pack
4.2 To configure the input method of simplified Chinese
4.3 To type simplified Chinese characters

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1. How to type Chinese characters in Windows 2000/XP

    To enter Chinese characters in Windows, you need an IME (Input method editor). There are a few available online, including a free one for Windows (pre 2000) that can be downloaded from Microsoft.com. Windows 2000 and XP has an IME built in which supports a large number of writing systems and languages, not just Asian ones. This tutorial is designed for use with Windows 2000 or XP.

    Go into control panel and double click on 'Regional and Language Options'

    Now select the Languages tab and click on details (you may also need check the two boxes in this tab to install extra languages)

    In the details box you will see English and possibly any others you have set up:

    (Note: in this screenshot I already have Chinese added, unless you've already added it, it won't be on yours).

    Now we'll add Chinese to the list (the method is the same for Japanese or any other language). Click on the add button. From the top list, select 'Chinese (PRC)', and select 'Chinese (Simplified) - US Keyboard' (you could pick another keyboard, it doesn't really matter, but if your keyboard is QWERTY you should pick this one).

    Click 'ok' in all the dialogs. Now if you click on the little language icon at the bottom right hand side of your screen you should have 'Chinese (PRC)' listed. (Aside: I don't speak all of the languages that I have set up, I just added them while experimenting)

    Now to test it - open Word, or any word processor, then select Chinese from the language bar. Type some Pinyin and it will translate it. You can change the character it uses if it guesses the wrong one, so for example, if you type 'hao' it produces that character, and will probably take the meaning 'good'. If you meant something else, press the left arrow key and a list will come up. You can either type a number or click the right one. Here's a screen of it working:

    (Note: When typing words with a '¨¹', like n¨¹ (woman) then use 'v' in place of '¨¹')
2. For Windows 9x/ME/NT4.0, IE5.5 or higher versions and Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack.
    2.1 To install Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack

    To read and type Simplified Chinese characters under English Windows 9x/ME/NT4.0, IE5.5 or higher versions, you must download Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack or get add-on program from a third party software manufacturer. You may click on the following link to download Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack or visit Microsoft Global IME page to get technical assistance. (The abbreviation "IME" refers to "Input Method Editor".)

  • Simplified Chinese (4.2 MB) - Download from Microsoft Site
    1. Click the above link to download Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack to a temporary directory on your local disk.
    2. Find the installation scmondo.exe in the temporary directory on your local disk, double-click it to execute the installation step by step according to its guide. The computer will be restarted after installation and Microsoft Global Chinese (Simplified) IME will be visible in the Multilanguage taskbar menu (in the lower right), Chinese should be displayed in the Microsoft Internet Explorer.

    2.2 To configure Microsoft Chinese Language Pack

    Microsoft Chinese Language Pack has only one Chinese input method, i.e. Microsoft Pinyin Input Method. You may configure its property as needed. To configure input method of Chinese:

    1. Click on the Multilanguage Indicator (in the lower right) and then selecting the Chinese (Simplified) IME from that list.
    2. Once the IME is selected, a floating toolbar (in the lower left) and pen icon (in the lower right) should appear on the screen.
    3. Right-click on the pen icon and selecting "configure input method" from the pop-up menu. There are four input mode options:
      1. Spelling Input
        ¡ù Word Auto-Complete:
        Recognizes and completes the character from the input of a consonant which can reduce the number of keystrokes required.
        ¡ù South Fuzzy Pronunciation Input:
        Allows the input of words with "fuzzy" pronunciation.
      2. Alternative words
        ¡ù Step-by-step Prompting:
        Displays characters with the same syllables in a suggestion window so you can correct words as you type.
      3. Other functions
        ¡ù Word learning:
        The IME learns from past user selections and corrections to provide the desired characters.

    2.3. To type Simplified Chinese characters

    Microsoft Chinese Language Pack has Microsoft Pinyin Input Method built-in. To type Chinese (Simplified) characters, first place the cursor in an HTML edit area of Internet Explorer. Then click on the Multilanguage Indicator (in the lower right) and select the Chinese (Simplified) IME from that list. Once the IME is selected, a floating toolbar should appear on the screen.

    1. Click on the first button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between Chinese and English input methods. You can also toggle between Chinese/English input by pressing Caps Lock
    2. Click on the second button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between full and half-width input.
    3. Click on the third button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between Chinese and English punctuation.
    4. Click on the fourth button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between complete spelling input and double spelling input.
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3. For Windows 2000 and IE 5.0 or higher versions

    3.1 Solution to read Chinese

    Windows 2000 has an excellent level of built-in Chinese support, Chinese input methods and Chinese fonts are included in its CD-ROM and are easily installed. To read Chinese under English Windows 2000:

    1. Click the Start button, pointing to Settings and then click Control Panel.
    2. Double-click the Regional Options icon in Control Panel.
    3. On the General tab, drag the scrollbar of the edit box under Language setting for the system, find Simplified Chinese, select the checkbox before it and then click OK button.
    4. After click the OK button, the system may prompt you to insert Windows 2000 CD-ROM. Please insert the CD-ROM, find the file named c_10008.NL_ and click Open button. The computer will automatically copy all files needed to your local disk. After copying, it will prompt you restarting your computer. Click Yes button, the computer will be restarted. You will be able to read Chinese under English Windows 2000 after restarting your computer.

    Please note:
    You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to complete this procedure. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings may also prevent you from completing this procedure.

    3.2 Solution to type Chinese

    To type Chinese, use the same method as above-mentioned to open Control Panel, double- click Regional Options icon in Control Panel and follow the steps here below:

    1. Click Input Locales tab and find Installed Input Locales.
    2. Click Add button under Installed Input Locales and Add Input Locales dialog box will be prompted.
    3. Click the scrollbar of the drop-down menu and select Chinese (PRC) under Input Local.
    4. Click the scrollbar of the drop-down menu to select the input method of Chinese you need under Keyboard layout/IME, then click OK button.
    5. Go back to Input Locales tab in the Regional Options dialog box, you will find the new added input method under Installed Input Locales on Input Locales tab, Enabling the indicator is recommended. Click OK button, close Regional Options window. You will be able to type Chinese.
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4. For Windows 9x/ME/NT4.0, IE5.0 or lower versions and Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack.
    4.1 To install Microsoft Chinese Language Pack

    To read and type Simplified Chinese character under English Windows 9x/ME/NT4.0, IE5.0 or lower versions, you must download Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack or get add-on program from a third party software manufacturer. You may click on the following link to download Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack or visit Microsoft Global IME page to get technical assistance. (The abbreviation "IME" refers to "Input Method Editor".)

  • Simplified Chinese (4.2 MB) - Download from Microsoft Site
    1. Click the above link to download Microsoft Simplified Chinese Language Pack to a temporary directory on your local disk.
    2. Find the installation scmondo.exe in the temporary directory on your local disk double-click it to execute the installation step by step according to its guide. The computer will be restarted after installation and Microsoft Global Chinese (Simplified) IME will be visible in the Multilanguage tasktar menu(in the lower right), Chinese will be display in the Microsoft Internet Explorer.

    4.2 To configure Microsoft Chinese Language Pack

    Microsoft Chinese Language Pack has only one Chinese input method, i.e. Microsoft Pinyin Input Method. You may configure its property as needed. To configure input method of Chinese:

    1. Click on the Multilanguage Indicator and then selecting the Chinese (Simplified) IME from that list.
    2. Once the IME is selected, a floating toolbar (in the lower left) and pen icon (in the lower right) should appear on the screen.
    3. Right-click on the pen icon and selecting "configure input method" from the pop-up menu. There are four input mode options:
      1. Spelling Input
        ¡ù Word Auto-Complete:
        Recognizes and completes the character from the input of a consonant which can reduce the number of keystrokes required.
        ¡ù South Fuzzy Pronunciation Input:
        Allows the input of words with "fuzzy" pronunciation.
      2. Alternative words
        ¡ù Step-by-step Prompting:
        Displays characters with the same syllables in a suggestion window so you can correct words as you type.
      3. Other functions
        ¡ù Word learning:
        The IME learns from past user selections and corrections to provide the desired characters.

    4.3 To type Simplified Chinese characters

    Microsoft Chinese Language Pack has Microsoft Pinyin Input Method built-in. To type Chinese (Simplified) characters, first place the cursor in an HTML edit area of Internet Explorer. Then click on the Multilanguage Indicator (in the lower right) and select the Chinese (Simplified) IME from that list. Once the IME is selected, a floating toolbar should appear on the screen.

    1. Click on the first button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between Chinese and English input methods. You can also toggle between Chinese/English input by pressing Caps Lock.
    2. Click on the second button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between full and half-width input.
    3. Click on the third button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between Chinese and English punctuation.
    4. Click on the fourth button on the left of the floating toolbar to shift between complete spelling input and double spelling input.

    Important Reminder:
    In order to display Chinese pinyin more properly under English Windows 9x/ME/NT4.0, it is recommended that you install Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher version. To download Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher version:

    1. Click Tools on the main menu in the Microsoft Internet Explorer window.
    2. Click Windows Update on the pop-up menu, and then click on PRODUCT UPDATES link in the windows update website.
    3. There will appear the message "Please wait...". It may take you a few minutes.
    4. When you see Select Software website, drag the scrollbar under the select Software and find Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 public preview or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 version, then select the checkbox before it.
    5. Click DOWNLOAD button to download and install Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 public preview or Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 to your local disk.
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