Typing in Korean on Windows 10

Here's a very simple way to get your Windows 10 computer typing in Korean. No games, no messing around. This will assume that:

1. You speak English
2. You want to use Windows in English
3. Sometimes you want to type in Korean.

If that describes you then this guide is for you. Just follow the easy steps. This works whether you actually have a physical Korean keyboard or not (if you don't, the right-alt key will be your 한/영 toggle).

Typing in Korean on Windows 10 (post-2017)

Note that my Windows is using the dark theme in these screenshots so yours will probably be white. Everything's the same though. Click these screenshot thumbnails for full-size views.

Step 1

Right-click on the keyboard icon in the taskbar. Ignore the fact that mine already has Korean in it.

If you don't see this, just tap the Start menu (or press the Windows key) and type "Region" to open the Region & Language settings. 

Step 2

Inside the Region & Language settings, tap the large "+" to Add a language.

Step 3

Find "Korean" and tap "next"

Step 4

Do NOT check the "Set as my Windows display language" unless you want everything in Korean. Just tap Install. 

Step 5

Wait while it downloads the Korean language pack.

Step 6 

When it's done downloading, you'll see this. "Language pack installed"

Step 7

Scroll down to the link that reads "Advanced keyboard settings"

Step 8

In the "Override for default input method" section choose "Korean - Microsoft IME"

That's it! You're done. This setting will ensure that your computer uses the Korean MS IME keyboard, which includes both English and Korean. You don't ever need to use "English US Keyboard" again.

You can now switch between typing Korean and English either by pressing the right "Alt" key (next to your spacebar), or clicking the new keyboard language icon in the bottom-right of your Windows taskbar, or of course the 한/영 key if you have a physical Korean keyboard.

I assume you know where the Korean letters are on the keyboard. If not you might want to play with the Windows 10 soft keyboard until you get comfortable. Or buy some Hangul stickers to stick on. Or print your own.


Original post follows below. 

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Older instructions (pre-2017)

These were the older instructions that made up this post, before this functionality was built into Windows 10 new preferences settings and you had to go digging through the control panels. It's now easier with the method above. But I'll leave this older way here for reference.

Step 1
 Go to Windows 10's "Time and Language" settings.

If you haven't done so already, click that big "+" sign to Add a Language, and add Korean.
That's it, you don't need to mess with any of the settings in there. It will probably say it's contacting Windows Update to find the language pack. Cool. Give it a minute to do that.

Then click "Additional date, time, & regional settings,*" highlighted above.

Step 2
Click "Change input methods".
Yeah you could have gotten here several other ways, but this is the way I like to do it.

Step 3
Click "Advanced Settings" over on the left-hand pane.

Step 4
Here's where the magic happens. Set these two menus, the first to English, the second to Korean.

Step 5

Enjoy typing in Korean. 

I like this method because it forces Windows to override whatever wacky language settings you might have and forces it to use the Microsoft Korean IME for inputting Korean.

*Props to Microsoft for using the Oxford comma before an ampersand. Bold move.

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