Custom hotkeys to change input language disappear frequently

Anonymous
2012-10-31T12:18:27+00:00

I had the same problem in Windows 7, and it persists in Windows 8. This happened in three computers I had, including the current one.

I have configured three input languages, and I assign a hotkey (alt+shift+number) to each of them. However, after some time, the hotkeys are reset; sometimes it's just some of them, other times they all disappear. They often keep working, but there are a few times when I can't switch languages in any other than pressing shift+alt or by clicking.

This issue may also be related - Sometimes I can't change languages from IME to English or any other. For that, I have to switch between input methods in IME (with alt+`), and only after I do that I can use the hotkeys. Again, switching languages with shift+alt works, but the custom hotkeys don't.

Does anyone know the cause of the problems I described? Is there a way to fix it? Are there any plans from Microsoft to fix these bugs?

Thank you.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Email and communications

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-12-30T09:10:35+00:00

    I've also had this problem since I upgraded to Windows 8.1, but not in Windows 7.

    Now, I think I've found some sort of solution.

    I use three custom keyboard layouts created with Microsoft keyboard layout creator and three layouts that are included with Windows. The three layouts that are included always remain while custom layouts always disappear.

    Now, there seems to be a bug in Windows 8 that only allows you to create a hot key for the first layout in your language list. Since you have to install a bundled layout first and only then your custom one, this means the short cut for the custom layout will disappear after some time.

    The solution I'm experimenting with is to delete the default layout after installing your custom one and then installing it back if you need it. This seems to allow me to use the hot key for my custom layout, but not for the default one.

    Here's what my language list looks like:

    And the one for hot keys:

    Hope this helps.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-01T17:28:24+00:00

    I still have this problem, I will try to post here each month until the problem gets resolved. I will also write a post on my blog and share our experience there.

    I tried the solutions mentioned above and still didn't solve the problem.

    In between I also installed Windows 8.1 and the hotkeys "magically" appeared again for half an hour just to disapper by the next lock screen.

    WIN-SPACE combination works, but its user experience sucks.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-30T04:49:55+00:00

    I was experiencing this problem and it was driving me crazy - I was living in Ukraine and this issue was coming up constantly.  I realized the problem was only happening when I went to the Lock Screen.

    The solution was to Copy my language settings to the lock screen.  Unfortunately, my notes are sparse but I still wanted to post for my fellow language lovers and polyglots:

    1. Go to Control Panel -> Language -> Advanced Settings
    2. Set up your Language Bar Hot Keys like you want
    3. Click "Apply language settings to the welcome screen..."
    4. Click Copy Settings and select Welcome Screen

    Voila.  That should do the trick and you won't see this issue ever again.  Can someone else confirm this fixes the problem for them?

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    70+ people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-30T05:17:35+00:00

    Interesting solution... worth of trying. Thanks

    I made changes so let's see what happens.

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  5. Anonymous
    2014-01-30T12:14:25+00:00

    Amazing. Works like a charm.

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