There is no need to say that there are a huge number of errors and crashes in Windows systems. But one of the most common problems of absolutely all modifications can be called 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 later. There are not so many ways, and some of them are, so to speak, cardinal. However, in most cases they work.
What is the language bar of 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. But why then does the panel disappear?
Why does the panel and its icon disappear?
What exactly is the reason for this behavior of the operating system has not yet been ascertained for certain. Unfortunately, practically no one can clearly explain the situation when the Windows language bar disappeared. True, if there is no single answer, at least several explanations can be given.
Among all that can affect the disappearance of the panel and its icons, the following reasons stand out:
- short-term or critical failures in the operating system;
- service shutdown at system startup;
- changing registry entries;
- disabling tasks in the "Scheduler";
- spontaneous change of location on the "Desktop";
- exposure to viruses.
In principle, the root causes of all the items listed in the list can not be called. However, they, being the result of some kind of malfunction, can cause the panel to disappear.
How to return the panel to its 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 restart of a computer device, the panel will return to its place, if only its disappearance was associated with short-term malfunctions in the system itself or with third-party processes. For example, situations where a resource-intensive application starts or anti-virus databases are automatically updated are typical. In this case, the language bar will return to its place upon completion of all processes. A reboot is not even required. But what if, after the completion of active processes or when the system is restarted, the panel still does not appear?
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 section of the language and regional standards is selected, or simply the section of the language. What next?
To check, you need to use the language and keyboard tab, on which the keyboard change button is clicked, and then on the keyboard tab, make sure that the settings for the language bar are set to the settings for pinning it to the "Task Bar", and not hiding it. Along the way, make sure that the line for displaying text labels is active. As an additional measure, in the language settings on the additional options tab for compatibility configuration, you can enable the so-called support for text services, which will be applied to all programs. Do not touch the options for hiding or setting transparency for an inactive state.
The language bar in Windows 10 is also available from the Control Panel. But calling it yourself can be quite problematic, since there is simply no link to it in the start menu. In order not to search for the necessary element for a long time and not to waste 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 the settings in this version of the system.
Autoload
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 at startup, although it starts with the system).
Use the Run menu again and enter the msconfig command, then go to the appropriate tab. If the checkbox is not checked next to the ctfmon component, put it and agree to the reboot offer, which is a prerequisite for making and saving changes.
Checking registry keys
If all the actions taken do not give a result, whether you want it or not, you will have to do some editing of the registry. In particular, this applies to cases where the desired item in startup is absent at all. The editor is called through the execution console by entering the regedit command. After logging in, you need to go through the HKU branch through the DEFAULT and Software subdirectories, go to the Run folder.
In the right part of the editor, through RMB, create a string parameter with the name CTFMON.EXE. Double-click to go into editing, and as the value, enter the full path to the service executable file (c: \ Windows \ System32 \ ctfmon.exe). After that, it will appear in startup, and it can be activated.
Restore "Task Scheduler"
If the language bar still does not appear, check if the scheduler works in the services section (services.msc). It is called MsCtfMonitor.
In the absence of such a service, its executable file must be downloaded from the official Microsoft resource and import TextServicesFramework settings. When the component appears in the list, check whether it is in the active state by going to the editing options through the usual double-click. The service should work (the start button is inactive), and the start type is set to automatic.
Icon Display Settings
Now let's look at the settings for the location of the language bar, provided that its icon in the system tray has already appeared. Using RMB on the “Taskbar”, select the properties section, go to the notification area settings and click “Customize”.
Then simply check the box next to the line “Always display all icons” and save the changes.
What if nothing helps?
If all the above solutions do not have an effect, you can, of course, reinstall the system. But in this case, all installed programs and user data will be lost. To avoid doing this, as an alternative, install the Punto Switcher program. It will not only completely replace the standard Windows switch, but will also change languages ​​and layouts if you forget to do this for some reason.
Additional measures
Finally, a few words about additional solutions. Check the System32 folder. If the ctfmon.exe file does not appear there, download it separately, but only from a trusted source. After downloading, in any case, check it for viruses. If there is no infection, put the file in the above directory.
If there is a file in the directory, through PCM select the object scan for viruses (there is an antivirus command in the context menu). If the file is infected, try to cure it, and then perform a full scan of the system with portable utilities, for example, Dr. Web Curelt or using programs that start from removable media before loading the operating system, for example, Kaspersky Rescue Disk. After starting the utility, do not use the settings for checking by default, but check all the items in the list (for reliability).
Finally
Here, in fact, are all the basic methods that allow you to return the panel and its icon, as they say, to its rightful place. However, sometimes for starters it’s worth looking for the panel with your eyes on the screen. Perhaps, indeed, she changed her location, but you simply did not see her? If you suddenly find it, hover over it, hold down the left mouse button and drag it to the original location or to any other place convenient for you.
However, as is already clear, these are far from all the causes of such a failure and methods for their elimination. If nothing helps at all, copy or move the necessary documents and files to the logical partition or to removable media, and then reinstall the system. In Windows 10, you can not do this, but use the computer to return to its original state, in which case the factory settings will be applied, so that the system will become as good as new (like immediately after installation on a computer or laptop). On some laptop models, the reset can be done with special buttons and various kinds of menus (for example, Sony VAIO).