The Windows graphical interface has various goodies that help the user receive up-to-date information without even performing any additional actions. For example, to find out the time or what day it is, you just need to lower your eyes down and look at the lower right corner of the screen. Of course, if the user moved the taskbar and notification panel, then you need to look at the place where it is located. In the same place as the date, there is a language settings panel, which sometimes disappears. In this article, we will look at how to display the language bar in Windows 7.
What is the language bar
One of the components of the toolbar that allows the user to understand what language is currently being used to enter text, what keyboard layout is enabled, etc. is called the language bar. In Windows 7 it is small and often difficult for users with poor vision to notice. For convenience, they drag it from the toolbar onto the workspace to ultimately get a separate window with more detailed labels. We recommend not to do this; it is better to increase the font in the system, because... everything should be in its place.
In order not to click on the language bar every time to change the keyboard layout language, you just need to press one of the following combinations on the keyboard: Alt+Shift or Ctrl+Shift. Even if the panel has disappeared from visibility, these combinations will work; only to find out the current language, you will need to try to enter letters in text editors or the address bar of the browser. Let's find out why the language bar disappears in Windows.
Why does the language bar disappear in Windows?
According to even experienced users, the language bar disappears when “it wants to.” Perhaps it’s a flaw in the system developers or a bug, but it happens. At the same time, the user himself may become the culprit of this event. Let's look at this case in more detail:
- By adjusting the time or changing the sound volume, the user accidentally removes the language bar;
- By dragging the language bar (simply undocking it from the toolbar), the user either deleted it or hid it so that it is now not visible on the desktop;
- The user screwed up the Control Panel settings;
- The panel does not start because the “Task Scheduler” does not automatically launch the “ctfmon.exe” utility.
Thus, “saving a drowning person is the work of the drowning person.” You just need to read our article and learn how to enable and dock the language bar in Windows. We will consider the entire process on Windows 7, but the algorithm is suitable for both Windows 8|8.1 and Windows 10.
How to enable the language bar in Windows 7?
In some cases, you won’t be able to enable the language bar the first time; you need to try several options. For convenience, we divide this paragraph of the article into three subparagraphs with different algorithms of actions.
Enabling the language bar in Windows 7. Method No. 1
First, let's deal with the “Scheduler”, which may be spoiling the “raspberry” for us. The algorithm for enabling the language bar utility looks like this:
After restarting the computer, the language bar utility should start, and it, in turn, will appear on the toolbar. If this does not happen, move on to method No. 2.
Enabling the language bar in Windows 7. Method number 2
Now we will consider the situation from the point of view of a settings failure in the “Control Panel”. To enter it, we repeat step No. 1 of the previous method, only instead of “Computer” we go to the “Control Panel” using the left mouse button. Next, the algorithm is as follows:
If it still doesn’t appear there, then the problem is deeper – in the system registry. To finally resolve the issue in our favor, we move on to the third and final method of solving the problem of the missing language bar.
Enabling the language bar in Windows 7. Method No. 3
The essence of this algorithm is that it is necessary to create a file that will make changes to the registry, in this case, regarding the language bar. The text looks like this:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
"ctfmon.exe"="C:\\Windows\\System32\\ctfmon.exe"
We copy it in the same form and paste it into Notepad. 
You need to save with the extension not txt, but reg. Any name. Then, when you save it, run it, confirm the entry into the registry and restart your computer. After a reboot, everything will work 99.9% of the time.
Thus, we figured out what the language bar is, how to work with it, and what needs to be done if it suddenly disappears from the desktop or taskbar.
- Click on the “Regional and Language” window that pops up.
- Find the "Keyboard Language" tab and click "Change Keyboard".
- In the new window “Languages and text input services”.
Advice! If after all the settings the language bar still does not appear on your screen, then check how many languages are active on your computer. The action algorithm will be useless if only one language is active.
You can check the number of active languages as follows:
- Go through two points of the above algorithm again;
- Find the General tab.
Inexplicably, but true, users noted that it is the language bar with the Russian language that disappears most often.
Why this happens and whether it is true is unknown.
But you can conduct the experiment yourself if you install the English or any other language layout.
Restoring the Task Scheduler on Windows 7
The language bar on Windows 7 has one main difference from the same Windows XP - in this case, the task scheduler is responsible for launching the language model.
If this program is not launched, then the language bar will not be displayed. You can trace this as follows:
- On your desktop, find and open the My Computer shortcut.
- Find the “controls” tab and click on it.
- Then on the right side of the list you will find the line “Services and applications”. Select the Services icon.
- In the pop-up window on the right, see the “Task Scheduler” service.
- After opening the service, make sure it displays a working status. We also advise you to specify automatic startup type.
- If the service displays the startup type “Manual”, then double-click the right mouse button and change it to “Automatic”.
- The last step is to restart your computer and check for the language bar.
Let's consider the option when all the settings are in order, however, the language bar is missing on the monitor screen.
Most likely, the problem is that the task is disabled within the service itself.
- On the monitor screen in the lower right corner, click on the “Start” line.
- Then, in the search engine, enter the word “Task Scheduler”.
- Find the line “Task Scheduler Libraries” and click on it.
- Then, specify two commands one after the other: TextServicesFramework and MsCtfMonitor.
- On the MsCtfMonitor command, you need to right-click twice so that the “Enable” line appears and then click on it.
Advice! Note the status of the MsCtfMonitor command. If the line already said “Enabled,” then the reason the language bar is missing is something else.
Please note that not every computer has the MsCtfMonitor service installed. Without it, it is unlikely that it will be possible to return the control panel to its place.
You can create this program yourself using the following algorithm:
- Download the MsCtfMonitor.zip program for free and unpack it;
- Open the downloaded file;
- In the main menu on the right, find the TextServicesFramework section;
- Double-click the TextServicesFramework section with the right mouse button to open the “Import Task” tab;
- Double-click the left mouse button on the downloaded file;
- Click on the task and then restart your computer to make sure the language bar is back in place.
Using the Registry to Restore the Language Bar
If none of the above methods helped you, then it makes sense to check the system registry for serviceability.
Earlier Windows operating systems differed from the seventh theme, the language bar could be controlled using ctfmon.exe.
But in this case it may also be appropriate. Download the program ctfmon.zip and then extract it. If you have any problems with the work, proceed as follows:
- To launch the system registry, enter the combination “Win” + “R”. Then enter the command “regedite”.
- Next, click on the line.
- Then, in the empty right part, right-click so that the “Create” line appears. Name it CTFMON.EXE.
- Click on the title with the left mouse button to access the link C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe."
If you strictly followed the algorithm of actions, then try to restart your computer and check if the language bar appears.
Solving the problem via Punto Switcher
If none of the above methods helped you, then as a last resort there is always a solution that has helped out users of the Windows 7 operating system more than once.
This can be done using Yandex, or rather, using a program from its developers -.
To be precise, the essence of this program is not to return the language string to the monitor screen, but to become its replacement if necessary.
With Punto Switcher you can switch from one language to another.
Once you have the “Settings” mode in the main menu, click on it to switch to “Keyboard Language”. Problem solved.
Simply put, you downloaded an analogue of the language bar due to the lack of the original.
Advice! The program includes more than a hundred languages. So that you don’t have to constantly waste time searching for the ones you need, select a few that you will use most often, for example: Russian-German-English.
Restoring the Windows 7 Language Bar
In this video we will tell you what to do if your Windows 7 language bar has disappeared. We will give two ways to return the panel to its place.
I went through the Control Panel to settings: Language and regional standards, there were checkboxes everywhere. I tried to roll back using a restore point, but nothing worked, on the forums they say you need to create a REG file and import it into the registry, only this will help, I created it, also to no avail. Where to look, did your website suggest?
The language bar has disappeared in Windows 7
Basically, all your problems are related to the use of third-party programs, for example, all kinds of garbage men and instant messaging programs. According to my observations, most users, when faced with a similar problem, simply give up and are left without a language bar at all, although fixing the situation is not at all difficult. There are many solutions to this problem, I’ll tell you about everything, as they say, step by step.
If you have The language bar disappeared in Windows 7, the first thing you can do is download from the official website and install the Punto Switcher program. It should be noted that it is very convenient to use and you will thank me more than once later. For example, it will automatically change the keyboard layout for you from English to Russian or vice versa if you forget to do it yourself, and much more.
Another solution is more complicated, but this is probably just for us, friends. Let's start looking for the missing language bar, and at the same time we'll figure out why this happened.
If all of the above did not help us, we create a REG file containing information that makes changes to the registry. In our case, the changes will correct the launch of the ctfmon.exe application, which is responsible for the operation of the language bar. How to create a REG file?
Create a simple text file and copy this text into it. This file must be saved with any name and extension .reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
"ctfmon.exe"="C:\\Windows\\System32\\ctfmon.exe"
The Windows language bar is usually located by default in the right corner of the monitor and automatically appears in the taskbar immediately after installing the operating system. The language bar allows you to quickly switch between different keyboard layouts and independently select the required input language. You can “move” it to the most convenient place on your computer screen, “hide” it in the taskbar, or hide it altogether.
When this seemingly insignificant element suddenly disappears from your field of vision without a trace, then working with most applications immediately becomes noticeably more complicated. People living abroad, for example in the USA, are unaware of this problem, since they do not need to switch between different languages at all, but for Russian-speaking users, the disappearance of the language bar brings a lot of inconvenience.
So, if after solving the problem using the method described above, the language bar has disappeared and does not want to appear, then we move on to the next method, namely, checking a service called “Task Scheduler”. It is the “task scheduler” that is responsible for launching the ctfmon.exe utility, which in turn is responsible for the health of the language bar in Win 7.
Automatically making changes to the registry
This is done as follows:
Method 4: moving from simple to complex (or entering data into the registry manually)
Method 5: Custom (Punto Switcher)
Punto Switcher is a program that can be downloaded for free, for example, from the website yandex.ru. Actually, Yandex is the developer of this application and the owner of all rights to it, so when you install it (Punto Switcher), be careful not to inadvertently agree to a “bouquet” of all kinds of add-ons and special search strings that will automatically be built into your browser and will be an eyesore in every possible way. Otherwise, the program is a rather interesting product, perfectly optimized for the Win 7 operating system.
The non-standard nature of this method is that the language bar does not actually return directly to the taskbar, but its responsibilities are taken over by the Punto Switcher utility. It monitors all entered text and, if necessary, switches the language from English to Russian and back. That is, if you, for example, thought about it and typed “Cnbhfkmyfz vfibyf” in the search bar instead of “Washing machine,” the program will automatically change the request and notify you about this with a sound signal.
Installing the application on Win 7 is not particularly difficult due to its simplicity and very friendly interface. In the right corner of the screen on the taskbar, next to information about the current date and time, the Ru icon (blue backlit) or En (red backlit) will appear. By right-clicking on any of these icons, you will be taken to a menu where you can configure the application for maximum convenience and comfortable work. Here you can determine whether Punto Switcher needs to correct abbreviations, capital letters, accidental pressing of the Caps lock key (if desired, you can completely disable it) and independently debug the automatic character replacement functions.
In contact with
The language bar is designed to select and view the input language. It can be displayed as a separate portable element, or built into the taskbar (near the notification area). Users are often concerned with the problem that Language bar not showing in Windows 7, so we'll try to get her back. The situation occurs after using programs or updating software.
In some cases, even after enabling the language bar through Control Panel items, it does not appear. I recommend that you familiarize yourself with all the methods described, and if necessary, perform them sequentially until you achieve the desired effect.
Recovery via language bar settings
5. Make sure there are at least 2 languages in the list. If not, you can add to the list by clicking the “add” button.
6. Then visit the “language bar” tab, select either a location on the desktop as a separate item, or pinned to the taskbar. The first 2 points are responsible for this, and accordingly 3 hides it. Click "apply", OK.
If the steps taken did not allow bring back the Windows 7 language bar, then read on. The task scheduler service, which is responsible for launching this panel, may have stopped.
Checking the Task Scheduler
To see if the service is working correctly, do the following:
1. Click on and copy into search services.msc, press enter.
2. In the extensive list, get to the “task scheduler” service. Double click on this item with the mouse.
3. In the new window, on the “general” tab, make sure that the startup type is “automatic” and the state is “working”. If not, click run and select automatic mode. Click OK and restart your PC.
If the Windows 7 language bar is not displayed after operating the service, check the status of the task itself. Click , enter Taskschd.msc and click enter.
In the left branched menu, go to “task scheduler library”, then visit the “Microsoft” section and in the “windows” subsection, find and select “TextServicesFramework”. Typically, the “MsCtfMonitor” task is located here.
To return the language bar, right-click on it and select “enable” from the menu. If there is no enable option, then everything is in order.
If you do not have the “MsCtfMonitor” task, do this:
- Download the task file and unzip it.
- Right-click on the “TextServicesFramework” section and select “import task”.
- Specify the path to the downloaded file, click open.
- Check the job status and restart your computer.
How to show the language bar using the registry
1. Hold Win + R, then type regedit, press enter.
2. Go sequentially through the sections shown on the screen (I think you can guess it).
3. Right-click on “run”, point to “create” and select “string parameter”.
4. Name it ctfmon and click enter.
5. Double-click on the ctfmon parameter and copy C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe in the “value” field. Click OK.
Note: Pay attention to the first letter of the system drive. It may be different from yours! Enter your letter, in this case.
6. Restart your PC.
Language bar with Punto Switcher
If you have a completely dead situation and the Windows 7 language bar is not displayed at all, I suggest a program from Yandex Punto Switcher (may the search engine forgive me).
Download it. Install the Punto Switcher utility. After installation, a panel with languages will appear in your tray. For detailed settings, please visit the manufacturer's website.
The main features include:
- Automatic change of incorrectly typed keyboard layout characters, for example, you type “cfqn”, and the language changes like “site”.
- Ability to change layout with one key.
- After typing text in a non-Russian layout, select it and press the intended key combination to change.
- Changing a set of arbitrary characters to phrases and words already prepared for these characters.
Of course, there are enough possibilities and with the subsequent update of the application there will be even more of them. If you use Punto Switcher, keep an eye on its updates and additions.
I hope from all of the above you have identified the reason, Why is the language bar not showing in Windows 7? and tried methods to return it to where it should be. Good luck to all!