Installing Windows-format and Keyman Key Layouts

NOTE: Follow these instructions only if you downloaded a Windows Keyboard Layout (Not Keyman). These are labelled on the download pages with “Windows Keyboard” and are usually found under the column Download Multi-lingual Keyboard.

On any of the keyboard download pages on this site, download the keyboard you want to use by finding “Windows Keyboard” in the download table. By clicking on this link, the Save File process will begin. Remember where you save it!

1. The file is zipped, so the first step is to unzip the key-layout. The contents should include a directory i386 and a .msi file. Both of these are required to install the key-layout. Block these and drag them onto your desktop (or some other folder).
1. • In Windows XP, right click the .zip file and choose Extract All... from the pop-up menu. This will open the Extraction Wizard.
   • On the first screen of the wizard, click Next to continue.
   • On the second screen, you may select the location where you want to extract the files, it is fine to use the default location the wizard provides. Click Next to continue.
   • The unzipping process is now complete. Make sure the check-box Show extracted files is checked, and click Finish. The folder with the keyboard layout installation files will now be open.
   • Each keyboard has been “zipped” to reduce the file size and assure a clean download. If you do not have an unzip utility on your computer, an internet search should turn up several free downloads. If you need help with unzipping the key layouts, please email me.
2. Double click the .msi file to install the key-layout.
3. Once installed, you have to tell Windows to make the key-layout available. Click on Start > Control Panel > Regional and Language Options. Select the Languages tab. Under the heading ‘Text services and input languages’, click the Details... button.
4. This will open a dialogue box showing all of the key-layouts installed on your system. In the ‘Installed Services’ box, click your default language (e.g. English (Canada)), and then click the Add... button.
5. In the next dialogue box, check off the Keyboard layout/IME box, and from the drop-down menu, select the key-layout you just installed. Keep clicking OK until the boxes are all closed.
6. You’ve now installed the key-layout. Restart your computer. Now, in the ‘System Tray’ at the bottom of your Windows screen, you will see an icon of a keyboard. If you click that, you can switch between key-layouts.