When I installed Windows XP Professional on my PC, all my language settings were wiped out—making it impossible to type special characters such as ã,ê,í,ò,ü. However, Windows XP can handle multiple keyboard layouts and input language services just like in earlier versions of Windows. The only difference is that Windows XP has more advanced features and a slightly different process to set them up.

To set up text services in Windows XP, do the following:

1. In Control Panel, double–click Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options, and then double–click Regional and Language Options.
2. Click the Languages tab, and then click Details.
3. In the list of installed services, click Add, and then select the input language you want to add, as well as the keyboard layout/Input Method Editor (IME). Be careful with the IME setting, so you don’t specify having a keyboard with physical characteristics that don’t match your current device.
4. In the Default input languages area, select the language you prefer to use when you start your computer.
5. Click Language Bar, and select your preferences, such as displaying the Language bar on the desktop, and then click OK.

The Key settings button also leads to some interesting features, such as switching Caps Lock on and off by pressing Shift instead of Caps Lock.