How to Type in Korean on Windows: Full Setup

This guide walks you through adding the Korean language pack and keyboard to Windows, so you can type Hangul in any app. You’ll learn how to switch between Korean and English, use the correct input mode, and fix common problems. No prior setup is needed beyond a Windows PC with admin rights for the initial install.

What You’ll Need

A Windows PC (10 or 11 recommended; steps are similar on Windows 8).
Administrator access to install the language pack (you’ll be prompted).
A physical keyboard — the on-screen keyboard also works if you don’t have one.

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Press Windows + I to open Settings, or click the Start button and select the gear icon.
Go to Time & Language. In Settings, click Time & Language (Windows 10) or Time & Language in the left sidebar (Windows 11).
Select Language & Region. On the left menu, choose Language & Region (Windows 11) or Language (Windows 10).
Add a Language. Click Add a language (Windows 11) or Add a preferred language (Windows 10).
Search for Korean. In the search box, type Korean. Select 한국어 (Korean) from the list, then click Next.
Install the Language Pack. In the pop-up, check the box for Set as my Windows display language (optional — only if you want the entire system in Korean). Ensure Text-to-speech and Handwriting are checked if you want those features. Click Install.
Wait for Installation. Windows will download and install the language pack. This may take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Switch to the Korean Keyboard. After installation, click the language icon (usually shows ENG) in the taskbar notification area (bottom-right corner). Select 한국어 from the pop-up menu. If you don’t see it, click the three-dot menu and choose Language preferences to verify Korean is installed.
Toggle Between Korean and English. Once the Korean keyboard is active, press Alt + Shift to switch between Korean and English. You can also use Windows + Space to cycle through all installed keyboards.
Choose the Correct Input Mode. When the Korean keyboard is active, you’ll see a small indicator in the taskbar: 가 (Korean) or A (English). Press the Right Alt key (or Han/영 key on Korean keyboards) to toggle between these two modes. You must be in 가 mode to type Hangul.
Type Korean. Open any text field (Notepad, Word, browser) and start typing. The letters will be automatically combined into Hangul syllables. For example, typing gksrmf in Korean mode produces 한글.

Common Mistakes

Typing English when you expect Korean: The keyboard defaults to English mode (A) when you switch to Korean. Press Right Alt to change to Korean mode (가).
Using the wrong keyboard layout: Windows offers two Korean layouts: Korean (Microsoft IME) and Korean (101-key). The 101-key layout is the standard one for most users — the IME is for older systems. If you accidentally chose the IME, go back to Language settings, click the three dots next to Korean, and remove the IME, then add the 101-key layout.
Forgetting to switch keyboards: The language icon may show ENG even after you installed Korean. You must actively select Korean from the taskbar icon — it won’t switch automatically.
Not pressing the right Alt key: On some laptops, the right Alt key is labeled Alt Gr or is combined with other functions. Use the on-screen keyboard to see which key toggles the mode.

Tips

Use the on-screen keyboard to learn the layout: Press Windows + Ctrl + O to open the touch keyboard, then click the keyboard icon and select the Korean layout. This shows you which key produces which Hangul letter.
Memorize the two-key rule: Korean letters are arranged logically — consonants on the left (ㅂㅈㄷㄱㅅ) and vowels on the right (ㅛㅕㅑㅐㅔ). The layout is QWERTY-based: for example, f = ㅏ, g = ㅎ, k = ㅗ.
Set a hotkey to switch to Korean quickly: Go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings > Input language hot keys. You can assign a custom key combination (like Ctrl + 1) to switch directly to Korean.
Use the IME for special characters: The Korean Microsoft IME allows you to type Hanja (Chinese characters used in Korean) by pressing Hanja key after typing a word. The 101-key layout doesn’t have this feature.
Practice typing in Korean with online typing tutors or by typing Korean text into a search engine to see if it looks correct.

Troubleshooting

Korean doesn’t appear in the language list: Make sure you’re connected to the internet. If it still doesn’t show, restart Windows and try again. Some Windows N editions (media-focused versions) may require the Media Feature Pack to be installed.
The language icon is missing from the taskbar: Right-click the taskbar and select Taskbar settings. Scroll down to Notification area and click Turn system icons on or off. Ensure Input Indicator is set to On.
You type Korean but get English letters: You’re likely in English mode (A). Press Right Alt to switch to Korean mode (가). Also check that the active keyboard is actually Korean — click the language icon and confirm it shows 한국어.
Korean letters appear as separated jamo (e.g., ㅎㅏㄴ instead of 한): This happens when you’re using the IME layout incorrectly or when the font in the app doesn’t support Hangul composition. Try a different app (like Notepad) to test. If it still splits, go to Language settings, remove the Korean IME, and add the 101-key layout.
The language pack install fails: Check your Windows Update service is running. Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update and click Check for updates. Install any pending updates, then try adding the language again.
You can’t switch back to English: Press Alt + Shift again, or use Windows + Space to cycle through keyboards. If that fails, click the language icon and select ENG directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I switch between Korean and English on my keyboard?

Press Alt + Shift to switch between installed languages, or Windows + Space to cycle through all keyboards. Within the Korean keyboard, use Right Alt to toggle between Korean (가) and English (A) input modes.

What is the difference between the Microsoft IME and the 101-key layout?

The Microsoft IME is an older input method that supports Hanja (Chinese characters) and has a different key mapping. The 101-key layout is the standard modern layout that most users should choose — it’s simpler and works with any keyboard.

Why does my Korean text sometimes show as English?

You’re probably in English input mode (A). Look at the taskbar indicator — if it shows A, press Right Alt to switch to 가 mode. Also ensure the active keyboard is Korean, not just the language being English.

Can I type Korean without installing the language pack?

Yes, you can use online Korean keyboard tools or the Windows on-screen keyboard with a Korean layout, but the language pack gives you the native typing experience and works offline in any app.

How do I remove the Korean keyboard if I no longer need it?

Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region. Click the three dots next to Korean and select Remove. This will uninstall the language pack and keyboard.

Will adding Korean affect my other apps or files?

No, adding a language pack only adds the keyboard and display options. Your files and apps remain unchanged. You can switch back to English at any time using the same language icon.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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