[Frugal]

I have assembled a little tutorial along with the required files on how to setup Urdu Typing on WindowsXP.

How to Type in Urdu on WindowsXP
Version 1.2

Step 1: Adding Urdu Keyboard

1. Open "Regional and Language Options" from Control Panel
2. Choose 'Language tab'.
3. Check the "Install files for Complex Script and right-to-left languages (Including Thai)".
4. Press 'Apply' to proceed.
5. Click "Details" button.
6. Click on "Add" button from "Input Language" list box select Urdu.
7. Press 'OK'


Step 2: Manage Files

1. Download and unzip the 'Urdu Font' file.
2. It contains two files: Urdu Nastaleeq Font & M$ Urdu Keyboard Layout.
3. Remember the location of this folder.

Step 3: Install Font

1. Open "Fonts" from Control Panel.
2. Click 'File' --> 'Install New Font...'
3. Select the location of the 'Urdu Font' folder created previously
4. Select the font [Nafees Nastaleeq (True Type)] form the 'list of fonts' section of the 'Add Fonts' window.
5. Press 'OK'


Step 4: Configure Keyboard Shortcut

1. Open "Regional and Language Options" from Control Panel
2. Choose 'Language' tab.
3. Click "Details" button.
4. Click "Key Settings..."
5. Highlight a language and click 'Change Key Sequence'.
6. Select the shortcut, you preffer, to activate the highlighted language.
7. Click 'OK' when done.
Now you can switch between languages while typing, using the keyboard.

Alternative: language can be selected using the 'Language Bar' visible on the taskbar. (A small icon displaying EN or UR)


Step 5: Type Urdu

1. Run MsWord, Write, Notepad (any text processor supporting unicode).
2. Change the language to Urdu using the keyboard shortcut or language bar
3. Select Nafees Nastaleeq font from the 'font' menu (where available)
4. Enjoy typing.



Tips

• Use the Microsoft Windows Urdu Keyboard pdf file to view the Urdu Keyboard layout. It can be found in the 'Urdu Font' folder
• To do away with the hassle of remembering the Urdu keyboard layout, run the On-Screen Keyboard (OSK). Now you can use the mouse to type. Run OSK form 'Start Menu' --> 'All Programs' --> 'Accessories' --> 'Accessibility' --> 'On-Screen Keyboard'

Add 'Phonetic' Keyboard
typing Urdu made easy with latin sounds

1. Unzip 'UrduKeyboard_Photenic' and run Phonetic.msi.
2. After the confirmation message 'Phonetic has been successfully installed' appears (be patient), go to the control panel.
3. Double click 'Regional and Language options' icon.
4. Press 'Language' tab.
5. Press 'Detail' button.
6. Press 'Add' button.
7. Select 'Input Language:' Urdu, and 'Keyboard layout/IME:' Phonetic



Download Links
Urdu Font [alt]
Phonetic Keyboard v1.0 [alt]
Phonetic Keyboard v1.1

Refference
Microsoft Products and Arabic Support
CRULP