Set up and use Indic Phonetic keyboards
Applies To
Windows 11 Windows 10Phonetic keyboards in Indian languages are available in 10 Indian languages including Hindi, Bangla, Tamil, Marathi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Odia, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam. The Indic Phonetic keyboards are in addition to the Indic Traditional INSCRIPT keyboards already available with Windows. Indian language users don't need to download and install any external Input Method Editors (IMEs) to input Indic text in a phonetic style.
The transliteration rules used in the keyboards are based on ISO 15919. Different with Indic INSCRIPT Keyboards, Indic Phonetic Keyboards are based on natural pronunciation. Users can use it immediately without any learning cost. As words are typed using the existing keyboard, Indic Phonetic keyboards transliterate them to suggest possible Indic text options. For instance, if "namaste" is entered using the Phonetic keyboard, it automatically suggests नमस्ते /ਨਮਸਤੇ/ નમસ્તે in Hindi/Punjabi/Gujarati.
Add Indic Phonetic keyboards
For instruction on how to add languages and keyboard layouts in Windows, including Indic Phonetic keyboard layouts, see the following article:
Manage the language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows
Indic Phonetic keyboard dictionary
Once an Indic phonetic keyboard is added, the keyboard dictionary is downloaded in the background using Windows Update. It can take some time for the keyboard dictionary to finish downloading and installing.
Note: If the following message is displayed when an Indic phonetic keyboard is selected from the input language icon in the system tray area of the taskbar, the keyboard dictionary isn't finished downloading yet:
Keyboard settings
<Language> IME is not ready yet. Please check status from language setting.
To manually download and install the keyboard dictionary:
-
Select Start and then select Settings > Time & language > Language & region . Or Select the following Time & language > Language & region shortcut:Open Time & language > Language & region
-
In the Time & language > Language & region window, under the Language section, select the ellipses next to the Indic language and then select Language options.
Tip: If the language isn't displayed in the Language section, see the article Manage the language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows.
-
In the Time & language > Language & region > Options window, under Language features, select the Download button next to Basic typing.
Support for Windows 10 will end in October 2025
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10. Your PC will still work, but we recommend moving to Windows 11.
-
Select Start and then select Settings > Time & language > Language . Or Select the following Language shortcut:Open Language
-
In the Language window, under Preferred languages, select the Indic language and then select the Options button.
Tip: If the language isn't displayed in the Language section, see the article Manage the language and keyboard/input layout settings in Windows.
-
In the Language options: <Indic language> window, select the Download button under Basic typing.
Note: If Basic typing isn't available, it's already installed.
Need more help?
Want more options?
Explore subscription benefits, browse training courses, learn how to secure your device, and more.
Communities help you ask and answer questions, give feedback, and hear from experts with rich knowledge.
Find solutions to common problems or get help from a support agent.
