See: * http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/The-Language-bar-overview - The Language bar (overview) * http://support.microsoft.com/kb/258824 - How to change your keyboard layout .......... Install the US International keyboard layout and switch to that layout if you need to type accented letters.<br /> That layout supports dead keys and easily allows to enter accented characters.<br /> It is better to assign a specific key to select a layout and disable the shortcut to cycle to avoid an unintentional layout switch if you use a Shift + Ctrl/Alt shortcut in Firefox.<br /> You can also enter accented characters with Alt and the number keys. *http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Alt_keycodes *http://www.starr.net/is/type/altnum.htm