To manage all aspects of the input and display language settings on your Windows 11 PC, use the following methods.
To switch the keyboard layout you’re using, press and hold the Windows key and then repeatedly press the Spacebar to cycle through all your installed keyboards. (If this doesn’t do anything, it means you have only one installed.)
You can also select the language abbreviation in your taskbar then choose the language or input method you want to use.
Note: In the input field, press the Windows logo key + period (.) to access the Emoji & more keyboard, if your language supports it.
If you can’t find the keyboard layout you want, you may have to add a new keyboard.
Adding an input language lets you set a language-preference order for websites and apps, as well as change your keyboard language.
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Select the Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
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Select the language that has the keyboard you want, then select Options.
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Select Add a keyboard and choose the keyboard you want to add. If you don’t see the keyboard you want, you may have to add a new language to get additional options. If this is the case, go on to step 4.
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Return to the Language settings page, go to Preferred languages, then select Add a language.
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Choose the language you want to use from the list, then select Next.
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Review any language features you want to set up or install, and select Install.
«Add a keyboard» shortcut
The display language you select changes the default language used by Windows features like Settings and File Explorer.
-
Select Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
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Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.
«Change your display language» shortcut
If a language is listed under Preferred languages but doesn’t appear on the Windows display language list, you’ll first need to install its language pack (if it’s available).
-
Select Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
-
In Preferred languages, select Add a language, enter the language you want, then select Next.
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Select Download from the Download language pack option.
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After the language pack is installed, select Back.
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Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.
«Install a language pack» shortcut
If you receive an «Only one language pack allowed» or «Your Windows license supports only one display language» message, you have a single language edition of Windows 10. Here’s how to check your Windows 10 language edition:
-
Select Start > Settings > About, and then go to the Windows specification section.
-
If you see Windows 11 Home Single Language next to Edition, you have a single language edition of Window 11, and you can’t add a new language unless you purchase an upgrade to either Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro.
Upgrade to Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro
-
Select Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
-
Under Preferred languages, select the language you want to remove, and then select Remove.
-
To remove an individual keyboard, select the language (see step 2), select Options, scroll down to the Keyboards section, select the keyboard you want to remove, and select Remove.
To manage all aspects of the input and display language settings on your Windows 10 device, use the following methods.
To switch the keyboard layout you’re using in Windows 10, press and hold the Windows key and then repeatedly press the Spacebar to cycle through all your installed keyboards. (If this doesn’t do anything, it means you have only one installed.)
You can also select the language abbreviation on the far right of the taskbar and then choose the language or input method you want to use.
Note: In the input field, press Windows +period (.) to access the emoji keyboard, if your language supports this.
If you can’t find the keyboard layout you want, you may have to add a new keyboard.
Adding an input language lets you set a language-preference order for websites and apps, as well as change your keyboard language.
-
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.
-
Under Preferred languages, select the language that contains the keyboard you want, and then select Options.
-
Select Add a keyboard and choose the keyboard you want to add. If you don’t see the keyboard you want, you may have to add a new language to get additional options. If this is the case, go on to step 4.
-
Return to the Language settings page, and select Add a language.
-
Choose the language you want to use from the list, and then select Next.
-
Review any language features you want to set up or install, and select Install.
«Add a keyboard» shortcut
Some languages require additional language features
For some languages to work properly, you need an admin on your PC to install the language features. Here’s a list of the languages that are affected:
-
Microsoft IME – Primary keyboard of Japanese
-
Microsoft Pinyin – Primary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, China), Primary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, Singapore)
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Microsoft Wubi – Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, China), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Simplified, Singapore)
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Microsoft Bopomofo – Primary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Macao SAR)
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Microsoft ChangJie – Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR), Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Macao SAR)
-
Microsoft Quick – Secondary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Taiwan), Primary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Hong Kong SAR), Primary keyboard of Chinese (Traditional, Macao SAR)
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Bangla Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Bengali (India)
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Gujarati Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Gujarati
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Hindi Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Hindi
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Kannada Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Kannada
-
Malayalam Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Malayalam
-
Marathi Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Marathi
-
Odia Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Odia
-
Punjabi Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Punjabi (Gurmukhi)
-
Tamil Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Tamil (India)
-
Telugu Phonetic – Secondary keyboard of Telugu
The display language you select changes the default language used by Windows features like Settings and File Explorer.
-
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.
-
Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.
«Change your display language» shortcut
If a language is listed under Preferred languages but doesn’t appear on the Windows display language list, you’ll first need to install its language pack (if it’s available).
-
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.
-
Choose a language from the Add a language list under Preferred languages, and then select Options.
-
Select Download from the Download language pack option.
-
After the language pack is installed, select Back .
-
Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.
«Install a language pack» shortcut
If you receive an «Only one language pack allowed» or «Your Windows license supports only one display language» message, you have a single language edition of Windows 10. Here’s how to check your Windows 10 language edition:
-
Select the Start button, select Settings > About, and then scroll down to the Windows specification section.
-
If you see Windows 10 Home Single Language next to Edition, you have a single language edition of Window 10, and you can’t add a new language unless you purchase an upgrade to either Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.
Upgrade to Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro
-
Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.
-
Under Preferred languages, select the language you want to remove, and then click Remove.
-
To remove an individual keyboard, select the language in question (see step 2), select Options, scroll down to the Keyboards section, select the keyboard you want to remove, and click Remove.
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Although Windows 10 will help you configure the default language during the initial setup, if you didn’t select the correct option or use a computer already configured with a different language, you don’t have to struggle when your requirements are different.
If you have to change the device’s default language settings, you can complete this task using the Settings app without reinstalling Windows 10.
In this Windows 10 guide, we will walk you through the steps to change the system default language on your computer.
How to change default system language on Windows 10
If you happen to be using the incorrect language on Windows 10, you can adjust the system settings to configure the correct language without reinstallation.
Disable language sync
On Windows 10, when using a Microsoft account, some of your preferences (including language) will sync across the device. If you only plan to change the settings on the computer, you should disable the option to sync your language settings to prevent changing the same settings on other devices.
To disable language preference sync on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Accounts.
- Click on Sync your settings.
- Under the «Individual sync settings» section, turn off the Language preferences toggle switch.
Once you complete the steps, you can change the language settings without affecting the other devices connected with the same Microsoft account.
Change system language settings
To change the system default language, close your apps, and use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Time & Language.
- Click on Language.
- Under the «Preferred languages» section, click the Add a language button.
- Search for the new language using the language or country name.
- Select the package from the result.
- Click the Next button.
- Check the Install language pack option.
- Check the Set as my Windows display language option.
- Check the additional features as needed — for example, «Text-to-speech» and «Handwriting.»
- Click the Install button.
- Click the Yes, sign out now button.
- Sign back into the account.
After you complete the steps, the Windows 10 language will change across the experience, including the Sign-in screen, Settings app, File Explorer, Desktop, apps, browser, and websites you visit.
Change system region settings
You will also have to change the region settings if you need to adjust the language settings because you are in a different region.
To change the local region settings on Windows 10, use these steps:
- Open Settings.
- Click on Time & Language.
- Click on Region.
- Under the «Region» section, select the current location with the «Country or region» drop-down menu (if applicable).
- Under the «Regional format» section, select the formats for the region’s date and time with the «Current format» drop-down menu (if applicable).
- Click on Language.
- Under the «Related settings» section, click the Administrative language settings option.
- Click the Administrative tab.
- Under the «Language for non-Unicode programs» section, click the Change system locale button.
- Select the new system locale language with the «Current system locale» drop-down menu.
- Click the OK button.
- Click the Copy settings button in the «Administrative» tab.
- Under the «Copy your current settings to» section, check the Welcome screen and system accounts and New user accounts options.
- Click the OK button.
- Click the OK button again.
- Click the Restart now button.
Once you complete the steps, the settings will apply, and the computer will now use the correct region settings.
Usually, you rarely have to change or install additional languages on Windows 10. However, changing these settings may come in handy in organizations working with people who need to use different preferences. It’s also a helpful feature to match the locale settings if you relocate to another region or when buying a new device that ships from a different country.
The only caveat with changing the region settings is that it will also change the settings for the Microsoft Store, which may block access to certain apps and services, depending on the location. In the same way, you can change the region settings to access an application from the Microsoft Store that is only available in a specific region. If you happen to be one of the remaining users using Cortana, consider changing the region settings that may prevent you from accessing the digital assistant.
More Windows resources
For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10 and Windows 11, visit the following resources:
- Windows 11 on Windows Central — All you need to know
- Windows 11 help, tips, and tricks
- Windows 10 on Windows Central — All you need to know
All the latest news, reviews, and guides for Windows and Xbox diehards.
Mauro Huculak is technical writer for WindowsCentral.com. His primary focus is to write comprehensive how-tos to help users get the most out of Windows 10 and its many related technologies. He has an IT background with professional certifications from Microsoft, Cisco, and CompTIA, and he’s a recognized member of the Microsoft MVP community.
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Read this article to find out how to change the language of Windows 10 interface without having to reinstall it, what system languages can be installed and what settings should be modified for that purpose.
Introduction
In Windows 10, people usually choose the preferred language for the entire operating system when they install it. However, if the language settings were wrong, or people have to use computing devices with certain language preferences, there are some settings to be modified in order to bring them in line with your personal likings.
So if you ever need to change language preferences in Windows 10, this can be done in a quick and easy way with the help of the Settings app and without having to reinstall the operating system.
In today’s article, we will show you how to change the default display language into any other, including doing it for new and existing user accounts.
How to change the default display language in Windows 10?
If you have to move to a different region or you need to use a display language different from the default choice, or the initial language settings for the computing device have been wrong, there is absolutely no point in reinstalling Windows 10. All you need is to modify a couple of system settings to enjoy the experience of using your operating system in the right language.
Disable language synchronization
If you are using a Microsoft account, the language settings will apply to all devices linked to such account. If you plan to change regional and language settings for one computer only, you need to disable synchronization of such settings before you proceed.
This is how you disable language sync in Windows 10.
Open the main system application, Settings. You can do it in any way you prefer. For example, click on the Start button in the lower left corner of your desktop, on the Taskbar, and open the main Windows menu. Use the scroll bar or the mouse wheel to search the list of all programs and applications installed on this computer and find the line Settings, or click on the Settings button in the left side of the user menu, and the application will open.
In the main Settings window, scroll down if necessary and choose the tab Accounts.
In the left panel, go to Sync your settings.
In the right panel, find the section Individual sync settings and the line Language preferences, then set the slider to the Off position (disabled).
When these steps are taken, you can start changing language settings for the copy of Windows 10 installed on this computer, without worrying that this can affect similar settings in other linked devices.
The steps to take if you want to change the display language
To change the display language of your Windows 10, you should close all running applications and do what is described below.
Use any method you prefer to open the Settings application. For example, right-click on the Start button that you can find on the Taskbar, in the left lower corner of the desktop, or press the key sequence Windows + X instead to open the context menu, and select the line Settings. The application will start immediately.
Use the scroll bar or the mouse wheel to navigate the Settings window, and find the tab Time and language.
In the left panel, go to Language.
Now look to the right and find the section Preferred languages, where you can prioritize language settings, and click on the button Add a preferred language, with a + (plus) symbol on it.
In the new window Choose a language to install use the scroll bar or the mouse wheel to find the language you need, or start typing its name in the search field above.
Choose the language pack you are planning to use in Windows 10 from the list.
When the language is chosen, hit Next.
In the next page Install language features check the box for Install language pack to confirm your choice (the box with the tick will become blue, i.e. active).
Click Install below.
Changes will take effect after the language package is installed, which usually takes several minutes only. In some cases, restarting your Windows 10 may be required, and then the corresponding language settings will apply to all system elements. The changes will affect the sign-in screen, the Settings app, Windows Explorer, desktop, all applications, preferred browsers and websites you visit. From now on, they will use the new language by default. Besides, Windows 10 may suggest reviewing your current privacy settings.
Changing region settings
If you change the display language for Windows 10 because you move to a different region, then regional settings should be modified too.
Changing them in Windows 10 is easy enough: just follow the steps below.
Open the main system application, Settings, using any way you prefer. For example, press the keyboard shortcut Windows + I to access the app directly.
In the main window of the Settings app, find and select the tab Time and language.
In the left panel, select Region.
In the right panel, find the section Region and use the nested menu Country or region to specify your new location if it differs from the current settings.
In the section Regional format use another nested menu to select proper formats to display date and time in Windows, if these differ for your time and region.
Now look at the left panel and jump to the tab Language again.
Use the scroll bar or the mouse wheel to find the section Related settings and click on the link Administrative language settings.
In the new pop-up Region window, jump to the tab Administrative and in the section Welcome screen and new user accounts hit the button Copy settings.
The new window will show you corresponding screen and account settings. In the section Copy your current settings to check the boxes for each option: Welcome screen and system accounts and New user accounts.
Click ОК.
Click ОК one more time, and then restart the computer.
After all these steps, your computer will display proper regional settings specified according to your physical location.
Most of the time, people don’t change or install additional languages regularly for their personal needs. This opportunity to change language packs quickly is more often required in small or large companies that need to deal with customers having various language preferences.
Besides, this option would be useful for people who have to move to a different region and would like their regional settings to comply. Another scenario is buying a computer from another country when the required configuration is not available locally.
Also, you should remember that modifying language settings may disable some functions like Cortana because this service is not supported in certain regions.
Conclusion
Preferred display language is one of the easily customizable things in the operating system. If you ever need to change the language settings, use one of the methods described here to replace the language pack currently used by Windows 10 without having to reinstall it.
See the full article with all additional video tutorials. If you still have any questions, please ask in a comments. Also visit our Youtube channel, there are over 400 video tutorials.
You can change the default display language of your Windows 10 from English to any other language. This is useful in scenarios where multiple users are accessing the same system and they understand different languages.
In this guide, I will walk through to change the default English language to Urdu (you can change it to Spanish, French or German etc. :)) If you like to change the Cortana voice language, have a look here.
Step 1. Press Windows key + I on the keyboard to open the settings window.
Step 2. Click Time and language.
Step 3. Click Region and Language.
Step 4. Click Add a language.
Step 5. Select your desired language and its variation (if applicable) by clicking on the language name.
Step 6. Select the new language and click Options.
Step 7. Download the language pack.
Step 8. Select the new language and click Set as default.
Step 9. Your new language will be displayed after next sign-in (See below screen shot).
Step 10. Press Windows key + X from the keyboard, scroll the power menu and click Control Panel.
Step 11. Click Add a language.
Step 12. Click Advanced Settings in the left pane.
Step 13. Click «Apply language settings to the Welcome screen, system accounts, and new user accounts.».
Step 14. Open Administrative tab and click Copy settings.
Step 15. Check both «Welcome screen and system accounts» and «New user accounts» options. Click OK.
Step 16. Click Restart now and let your system reboot so changes may take effect.
When the system reboots successfully, everything will be displayed in the new language.
- You can change the language on a Windows 10 device at any time in just a few steps.
- You may need to change the language on Windows 10 if you chose the wrong one during initial setup or you’re using a device that has already been configured.
- Once you change the language in Windows 10 with these steps, it will be reflected across the entire system, from your sign-in screen to the File Explorer, to the websites you visit.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
If you buy a brand new PC, you’ll be prompted during initial set-up to choose your default language.
Whether you accidentally chose the wrong language, simply want to change it to a different one, or your machine was already configured for you, it’s possible to change your language on Windows 10 at any time.
It should be noted that changing the default language in Windows 10 will mean the newly selected language will be everywhere on your computer, in its own settings and on the internet.
Here’s how to do it.
Check out the products mentioned in this article:
Windows 10 (From $139.99 at Best Buy)
How to change your language on Windows 10
1. Click on the Windows start menu and type «Settings,» selecting the top option that appears in the search result.
2. In the Settings app, click on «Time & Language,» then click on «Language.»
Jennifer Still/Business Insider
3. Under «Preferred Languages,» click on «Add a preferred language» and begin typing the name of the language you wish to use on your computer.
Jennifer Still/Business Insider
4. Once you’ve found your preferred language, click «Next» to install the language pack on your computer.
Jennifer Still/Business Insider
5. On the «Install language features» screen, make sure to check the «Set as my display language» option just under the selected language. Check the «Install language pack» option as well.
6. Click «Install» when finished and the pack will begin to download.
Jennifer Still/Business Insider
7. When finished, you will be prompted to sign out of your Windows 10 account. Do so, then sign back in to see your new language displayed.
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Jennifer is a writer and editor from Brooklyn, New York, who spends her time traveling, drinking iced coffee, and watching way too much TV. She has bylines in Vanity Fair, Glamour, Decider, Mic, and many more. You can find her on Twitter at @jenniferlstill.
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