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Using System Shadow Keyboards

Note

System shadow keyboards allow you to use Keyman keyboard layouts as if they were native Windows keyboards. Unless you have a specific need to use system shadow keyboards, you should instead use the Languages tab in Keyman Configuration. System Shadow Keyboards are not recommended on Windows 2000, XP, Vista and later versions due to limitations in their configuration and use.

For example:

  • If you have a customized keyboard layout for French, you could use it in place of the standard French keyboard layout that Windows installs, or,

  • If you have a keyboard layout for a language not supported by Windows, you can associate that keyboard layout with a language you're not currently using. For example, if you have a keyboard layout for Anglo-Saxon, which is not supported by Windows, you could associate it with Afrikaans or Finnish (assuming that you don't normally use either of those languages).

When you install a keyboard layout into Keyman, a Windows keyboard layout with the same name is also installed into the Windows Control Panel. You can associate this keyboard layout with any language you like.

Associate a keyboard layout with a language (Windows 95, 98, Me)

  1. Click on the Start menu, select Settings - Control Panel.

  2. Double-click on the Keyboard icon.

  3. Select the Language tab.

To associate the Keyman keyboard layout with a language already on your system:

  1. Highlight that language.

  2. Click on the Properties button.

  3. Highlight the name of the Keyman keyboard layout.

  4. Click on OK.

To associate the Keyman keyboard layout with a language not yet installed on your computer:

  1. Click on the Add button.

  2. Select the language.

  3. Click on OK.

  4. Click on the Properties button.

  5. Select the Keyman keyboard layout.

  6. Check the Enable indicator on Taskbar and Left-Alt+Shift boxes.

  7. Click on OK to close the Keyboard layout dialog.

Tip

You may get a message asking you to insert the original Windows CD-ROM, so have it ready.

Associate a keyboard layout with a language (Windows NT 4, 2000):

  1. Click on the Start menu, select Settings, Control Panel.

  2. Double-click on the Keyboard icon.

  3. Select the Language tab.

To associate the Keyman keyboard layout with a language already on your system

  1. Highlight that language.

  2. Click on the Properties button.

  3. Highlight the name of the Keyman keyboard layout.

  4. Click on OK.

To associate the Keyman keyboard layout with a language not yet installed on your computer:

  1. Click on the Add button.

  2. Select the language.

  3. Select the Keyman keyboard layout.

  4. Click on OK.

  5. Check the Enable indicator on Taskbar and Left-Alt+Shift boxes.

  6. Click on OK to close the Keyboard dialog.

Tip

You may get a message asking you to insert the original Windows CD-ROM, so have it ready.

Associate a keyboard layout with a language (Windows XP):

  1. Click on the Start menu select Control Panel.

  2. Select Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options (if not in Classic View) or Select Regional and Language Options (Classic View).

  3. Select the Languages tab.

  4. Click on the Details button.

  5. Click on the Add button.

  6. Select the Input Language.

  7. Select the Keyman keyboard layout from the list of Keyboard layouts/IMEs.

  8. Click on OK to close the dialog box.

Associate a keyboard layout with a language (Windows Vista):

  1. Click on the Start menu select Control Panel.

  2. Select Regional and Language Options.

  3. Select the Keyboards and Languages tab.

  4. Click on the Change Keyboards button.

  5. Click on the Add button.

  6. Select the Input Language.

  7. Select Keyboard, and tick the box Show More.

  8. Select the Keyman keyboard layout from the list of layouts/IMEs. Note that the Keyman keyboard layout must be installed for all users in order to be viewable from this screen.

  9. Click on OK to close the Add Input Language dialog box.

  10. Click OK again at the Text Services dialog to apply changes.

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