In our Chinese and Mandarin language class, we require type in Chinese characters using Pinyin keyboard input.
Windows system
1. Go to Settings, Time & language > Language & region.
2. Click on "Add a language" button
3. In the "Choose a lanuage to install" field, enter "chinese" to search available languages. Then click on "Chinese (Simplified, China) to confirm.
4. In the "Install language features" dialog box, almost all options there are optional. You DO NOT need Lanague Pack and MUST NOT tick "Set as Windows display language".
5. You will have Basic typing installed for Chinese language. If you have ticked other optional features in above screen, it will take longer time to be installed.
6. To make sure you have correct keyboard for input, you can click on the three dot option and choose "Language optoins" in the drop down menu. Make sure the English one is in the top, so when you restart computer, you will have English as default keyboard input.
7. The language options screen will have the same optional features when you install a new language. They are available to download if you did not select before. Down the button, Check the Keyboards to make sure "Microsoft Pinyin" is installed as part of Basic typing.
8. If the keybaord input is installed correctly, you should have the keyboard options to change - it is located in the taskbar corner. You can use Windows + Space quick swith hotkeys.
Mac computers
- On your Mac, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, then click Language & Region.
- In General tab, on the left side Preferred languages field, check what languages you already have on this mac. If you don't have English, please click on the add "+" button down the bottom.
- Type in "Chinese" or select "Chinese, Simplified"
- Make sure the newly added "Chinese - Simplified" language is at the top of the list. You can drag it to the top.