There is no need to say that there are a huge number of errors and failures in Windows systems. But one of the most common problems of absolutely all modifications is the disappearance of the panel for changing the keyboard layout and language, as well as its icons from the system tray. How to restore the language bar in Windows of any version will be discussed further. There are not so many ways, and some of them are, if I may say so, cardinal. However, in most cases they work.
What is the language bar in Windows 7 or any other system?
What is this panel, it is easy to figure out, based on its name. It is both an element of the graphical interface of the operating system, which is responsible for displaying the currently used language, and a service designed to switch (change) languages.
Its icon is usually located in the system tray area next to the clock and date icon. Butwhy then does the panel disappear?
Why does the panel and its icon disappear?
What exactly causes this behavior of the operating system has not yet been clarified for certain. Unfortunately, almost no one can clearly explain the situation when the Windows language bar disappeared. True, if there is no definite answer, at least one can give several explanations for what is happening.
Among all that can affect the disappearance of the panel and its icons, there are such reasons:
- short-term or critical failures in the operating system;
- disabling the service at system startup;
- changing system registry entries;
- disabling the task in the "Scheduler";
- spontaneous change of location on the "Desktop";
- exposure to viruses.
In principle, all the items in the list cannot be called root causes. However, it is they, being the result of some failures, that can cause the panel to disappear.
How to put the panel back in place: the easiest way
So, let's start with the simplest. We assume that the language bar is not displayed in the operating system interface. What to do first? Do not rush to take extreme measures.
It is possible that after a normal reboot of the computer device, the panel will return to its place, if only its disappearance was due to short-term failures in the system itself or with third-party processes. For example, a typical situation can be called when some kind of resource-intensiveapplication or the anti-virus databases are automatically updated. In this case, the language bar will return to its place at the end of all processes. You don't even need to reboot. But what if the panel is still not displayed even after the active processes are terminated or when the system is restarted?
How to restore the language bar on a Windows computer through the "Control Panel"?
In this case, the first step is to check the parameters and settings using the standard "Control Panel" for this, in which either the language and regional standards section, or just the language section is selected. What's next?
To check, you need to use the language and keyboard tab, on which the button for changing the keyboard is pressed, and then on the keyboard tab, you should make sure that the checkbox for setting the language bar settings is checked for pinning it to the "Taskbar", and not hiding. Along the way, make sure that the line for displaying text labels is active. As an additional measure, in the language settings under the advanced options tab for the compatibility configuration, you can enable the so-called support for text services, which will be applied to all programs. Don't touch the options for hiding or setting transparency for the inactive state.
The language bar in Windows 10 is also available from the Control Panel. But calling it itself can be quite problematic, since there is simply no link to it in the start menu. In order not to search for the desired element for a long time and notwaste time, call the Run console and enter the control command in its field. It will immediately launch the classic "Control Panel", and not the settings section, which is the main one for settings in this version of the system.
Startup
But the solutions described above do not always help, and the language bar of Windows 7 or another modification is again unavailable. In this case, for OS versions below the eighth, you need to check whether the service itself is currently running. In the Task Manager, the ctfmon executable process is responsible for it, and the file is located in the System32 directory (in the eighth and tenth versions, this process is not visible in autoload, although it starts with the system).
Use the Run menu again and type msconfig, then switch to the appropriate tab. If the checkbox for the ctfmon component is not checked, check it and agree to the reboot proposal, which is a prerequisite for making and saving changes.
Checking registry keys
If all the actions taken did not give a result, whether you like it or not, you will have to start editing the registry. In particular, this applies to cases where the desired element is not available at startup at all. The editor is called through the runtime console by entering the regedit command. After logging in, you need to go through the HKU branch through the DEFAULT and Software subdirectories, reach the Run folder.
On the right side of the editor, via RMB, create a stringparameter named CTFMON. EXE. Double-click to edit, and enter the full path to the service executable file (c:\Windows\System32\ctfmon.exe) as the value. After that, it will appear in startup, and it can be activated.
Restoring the "Task Scheduler"
If the language bar still does not appear, check if the scheduler is running in the services section (services.msc). It's called MsCtfMonitor.
If there is no such service, its executable file must be downloaded from the official Microsoft resource and import the TextServicesFramework settings. When the component appears in the list, check if it is in the active state by entering the edit options via a normal double click. The service must be running (the start button is inactive), and the startup type is set to automatic.
Setting the display of the icon
Now let's look at the settings for the location of the language bar, provided that its icon has already appeared in the system tray. Through RMB on the "Taskbar" select the properties section, go to the settings of the notification area and click "Customize".
Next, just check the box next to the line "Always show all icons" and save the changes.
What to do if all else fails?
If all the above solutions have no effect, you can, of course, reinstall the system. But after all, all installed programs and user data will be lost. To thisdo not engage, as an alternative, install the Punto Switcher program. It will not only fully replace the standard Windows switch, but will also change languages and layouts if you for some reason forgot to do so.
Additional measures
Finally, a few words about additional solutions. Check the System32 folder. If the ctfmon.exe file is not there, download it separately, but only from a trusted source. After downloading, in any case, check it for viruses. If there is no infection, place the file in the above directory.
If there is a file in the directory, use RMB to check the object for viruses (there is an antivirus command in the context menu). If the file is infected, try to disinfect it, then perform a full system scan with portable utilities, such as Dr. Web Curelt or using programs that start from removable media before the operating system boots, for example, Kaspersky Rescue Disk. After starting the utility, do not use the default settings for checking, but check all the items in the list (for reliability).
In closing
Here, in fact, are all the main methods that allow you to return the panel and its icon, as they say, to their rightful place. True, sometimes for a start it is worth looking for the panel with your eyes on the screen. Maybe, indeed, she changed her location, but you simply did not see her? If you suddenly find it, move the cursor over it, hold down the left mouse button and drag it to its original location or to any other place convenient for you.
However, as is already clear, thisfar from all the causes of such a failure and methods for their elimination. If nothing at all helps, copy or move the necessary documents and files to a logical partition or removable media, and then reinstall the system. In Windows 10, you can not do this, but use the reset of the computer, in which the factory settings will be applied, so to speak, after which the system will become as good as new (as immediately after installation on a computer or laptop). On some laptop models, reset can be done with special buttons and various menus (for example, Sony VAIO).
