Urdu Keyboard in Microsoft Windows

Urdu is national language of Pakistan. This language is influenced by not only Persian but also Arabic and Hindi. but speaker of this language use Persian alphabets as writing system. Many people use Inpage software to create Urdu documents in their computers but I personally do not think that it is a good idea. Inpage software is limited in the functionality compared to other famous word processing software such as Microsoft Word or LibreOffice Writer. Also by installing Inpage, you will only be able to type Urdu within only Inpage software and nowhere else. This is why, it is better to install Urdu keyboard in Microsoft Windows rather than installing Inpage software. 

Urdu language and keyboard can be installed from Settings App in Microsoft Windows 10. But it is a mono-type keyboard and not the phonetic keyboard. A mono-type Urdu keyboard is a keyboard which was created to be used for Urdu language users. However, remembering all the keybindings for different Urdu alphabets may sound a bit overwhelming to some people. Therefore, phonetic Urdu keyboard was created which assign Urdu alphabets to same sounding English alphabets on your keyboard. This means that the the button for alphabets "F" on your keyboard will write "ف" when you are using phonetic Urdu keyboard. 

Installation Process

In order to install phonetic Urdu keyboard, go to urdu.ca website. The website will open urdu page by default so any Urdu speaking person can install Urdu keyboard on their computer. Basically, first it will tell you to install Urdu fonts and then install Urdu keyboard on your computer. I made this video a while ago about installing Urdu keyboard on your computer.

Anyways, if you don't want to watch above video then follow these instructions:

1. Go to urdu.ca website. 
2. Click the first link to install fonts in your computer.This will make Urdu look pretty when writing in this language. Default fonts will do their best to show Urdu words as nicely as possible. But it is always better to install the related fonts.
   
3. Then click first link to download Urdu fonts. The link text will be written as "Jameel Noori Nastaleeq Font Installer - click here to download". You can also click this link to download Urdu fonts directly. 
4. Then go to the homepage of urdu.ca website.
5. Click the second link to install Urdu keyboard in your computer.
6. Then click first link to download Urdu keyboard. The link text will be written as "Urdu Phonetic Keyboard Installer".  You can also click this link to download Urdu keyboard directly. 
7. Run the two executable files and follow installation steps. 
8. Voila! You have installed Urdu keyboard in your computer. 
9. Just in case you are using Windows XP then click the third link from homepage and follow the guide to install relevant files and make the option to choose Urdu keyboard in your taskbar. 
10. If you are using Windows 10 then use "Windows + Space" to change your keyboard. 

Please also check other Tutorials on our blog.