If you don't want the Input Panel showing up at all, un-check 'Use the Input Panel tab'. On my computer, I see no difference at all whether this is checked or un-checked. If you don't like this motion or if you think it's too slow, un-check this. If you choose 'Show Input Panel sliding open from the tab' (the default) then your Input Panel will slide open when you tap it. I've chosen to check this, since the tiny portion of the tab that shows is unobtrusive and with this option I always know where it is located. This is not checked by default, and the tab is hidden outside the edge of the screen until you come close to it with your cursor. You can choose whether you want the Input Panel tab to show even when your pen is out of range. The Input Panel icon is the little one that will show up when you tap a text-entry point on your screen (see above).

The second section lets you choose where the Input Panel icon appears, and lets you decide whether you want to see the Input Panel tab on your desktop. I would suggest leaving it as the default 'Tap the Input Panel icon or tab' because, if you choose 'Point to the Input Panel icon or the tab', it's all too easy to open up the Input Panel inadvertently if your pen or finger gets too close. Besides the location of the Input Panel tab, which we've already discussed, you can choose which action opens the Input Panel. The first Options tab you'll see is Opening. If you have a tablet or touchscreen computer, or are using a tablet as an input device, chances are good you've seen the edge of the Tablet Input Panel peeking out at you from the left side of your desktop screen. For more instructions about language packs and how to install or remove them, check out this article and the ones recommended at the end of it: Install and Change to a New Display Language in Windows 7 Home and Professional.

If you don't already have the extra languages installed in Windows 7, you can add them from your original disks, or, if you have Ultimate or Enterprise editions, get the Multilingual User Interface packs from Microsoft here. And what's more, it will do it in multiple languages. Unlike Windows Journal, which offers the option of saving what you've written in graphic form, the Tablet Input Panel will convert your handwriting into typed text almost immediately.

Have you ever wondered about Tablet Input Panel and what's it good for? As you will see later on in this article, you can use it to write anything you want, or to enter text into a browser address bar, or a username/password field.

Tablets with windows 7