Why does Windows change the input language randomly?

Why does Windows change the input language randomly? I work on an English version of Windows XP Pro, but my working language is Spanish. My default input language is set to Spanish, but sometimes Windows changes this setting automatically when you switch applications (and thus you get a different keyboard layout).
Asked by: Guest \| Views: 390

Total answers/comments: 5

Comments display order:

Guest [Entry]

"The input language settings are per-application. An application which calls a Windows API in order to change the input locale, can set a different keyboard layout, if it is enabled for the user.

Sometimes it also happens, if you accidentally hit the ALT and LEFT-SHIFT keys together. If you don't want to have this behavior, you could ""uninstall"" all input languages/cultures you don't need in the Control Panel:

Regional and Language Options > Text Services and Input Languages

EDIT: or just check ""Turn off advanced text services""."

Guest [Entry]

I think the input language is maintained per-application. I'm not sure if there's a way to disable that behavior.

Guest [Entry]

"I think keyboard-settings are maintained per application, for example Word may be running with the Spanish language settings but Notepad is configured with the English language.

You might also want to check what language is configured to be the default."

Guest [Entry]

"I hate that, yes, some applications have a default

What I do is completely remove them from the Language Bar, and keep only one.

Another thing I hate is to have my keyboard switched from en-Spain/en-LatinAmerica... it breaks the layout!

So I remove them all and keep the one I use."

Guest [Entry]

I had the same thing a few months ago, it turns out I was accidently pressing a shortcut key for switching languages. I disabled all shortcuts and removed the language toolbar, so that you have to explicitly change language in the control panel. Since then I haven't had it happen.