Change Windows Language: A Complete Guide For Your PC

Laurine Cole 25 Aug 2025

Have you ever found yourself looking at your computer screen, maybe a new Windows setup, and realized the language just isn't right for you? It's a rather common situation, actually. Perhaps you've moved to a new country, or you're learning a fresh language, and you want your PC to reflect that. Maybe, too, you just accidentally picked the wrong one during installation. Whatever the reason, getting your Windows device to speak your preferred tongue can make a huge difference in how you interact with it every single day.

Making your computer's system language match your own can truly personalize your experience. It's not just about what you see in menus; it affects how apps behave, how websites display, and even how you type. So, if you're feeling a bit lost or simply want to switch things up, you're definitely in the right place. This guide will walk you through the steps to get your Windows system speaking your language, literally, in just a few clicks.

We'll cover how to install, remove, and change display languages and keyboard layouts across Windows 11 and Windows 10. You'll find out how to correct a system language that's not quite right and how to add new ones. This means you can customize your operating system for a more comfortable and productive time, which is pretty neat.

Understanding Language Settings in Windows
- What Display Language Means
- Keyboard Layouts and Input Methods
Changing the Display Language in Windows 11
Changing the Display Language in Windows 10
- Installing a Language Pack (Windows 10)
- Setting Your Default Language (Windows 10)
Managing Keyboard Languages and Layouts
Troubleshooting Common Language Issues
- When Windows Won't Change Language
- Fixing the Wrong Language in Settings or Apps
Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Language Changes

Understanding Language Settings in Windows

Windows, whether you're using version 11 or 10, gives you a lot of control over how it speaks to you. It's not just one setting, though. There are a few different parts that come together to create your full language experience. Knowing what each part does can really help you get things just right, which is good.

What Display Language Means

The display language is, basically, the main language Windows uses for its menus, dialog boxes, and other system elements. This includes things like the File Explorer and the Settings app. When you change this, you're telling Windows to show you all of its built-in parts in your chosen tongue. It's the core of how your operating system communicates with you, so it's a pretty big deal.

This setting affects the language displayed in Windows itself, and in many applications, and on websites that respect your system preferences. So, getting this right means your whole computer feels more natural to you, which is nice. Microsoft, you know, used to offer separate language packs for older versions like Windows 8.1 or Windows 7, but now it's often more integrated.

Keyboard Layouts and Input Methods

Separate from the display language is your keyboard layout. This tells your computer which characters appear when you press certain keys. For example, a US English keyboard layout is different from a UK English one, and both are very different from a German or French layout. You might want to type in one language but have your system display in another, so this distinction is quite important.

You can add or remove keyboard layouts for different input languages in Windows 11 and manage those various layouts. This lets you switch between them easily, say, if you're writing an email in English and then need to type a quick message in Spanish. It really does make your typing experience much better, in a way.

Changing the Display Language in Windows 11

Switching the language on your Windows 11 device can open up a world of possibilities, especially if you're multilingual or learning a new language. It's a straightforward process, honestly. This guide was created using the Windows 11 Moment 2 update, so the steps should be pretty current. If you need to check your Windows 11 version, there are guides out there for that, too.

Adding a New Language Pack (Windows 11)

To begin, you'll need to add the language you want to use. This brings in the necessary files for Windows to display in that language. It's pretty simple, actually, and it's where you start if your desired language isn't already there.

Open the Settings app. You can do this by clicking the Start button and then the gear icon, or by pressing Windows key + I.
From the left-hand menu, choose Time & language.
Then, click on Language & region.
You'll see a section called "Preferred languages." Click the Add a language button. It's usually a big plus sign.
A list of languages will appear. Find the language you want to add, then select it. You can search for it if the list is long, which it often is.
After selecting, click Next.
You'll see options for "Language pack," "Text-to-speech," "Speech recognition," and "Handwriting." Make sure "Language pack" is checked if you want to change the display language. You might also want to check the others if you plan to use speech features or handwriting input.
Click Install. Windows will then download and install the language pack. This might take a little while, depending on your internet connection, so just be patient.

Setting Your Preferred Display Language (Windows 11)

Once the language pack is installed, you can make it your primary display language. This tells Windows to use it for all its main user interface elements. It's a very clear guide to changing the system language, honestly.

Go back to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
Under "Preferred languages," find the language you just installed or the one you want to make your primary.
Click the three dots (...) next to that language.
From the menu that appears, select Move up until it's at the very top of the list. This tells Windows it's your preferred language.
Then, click the three dots again and choose Language options. Make sure the "Windows display language" is set to your desired language here.
You might get a prompt asking if you want to make this your Windows display language. Confirm it.
Windows will likely ask you to sign out to apply the changes fully. It's usually a good idea to do this to ensure everything updates correctly. So, save your work and sign out, then sign back in.

Removing an Unwanted Language (Windows 11)

If you have languages you no longer need, maybe you accidentally chose the wrong language on Windows 11, you can easily remove them. This helps keep your system tidy and focused on what you actually use, which is pretty useful.

Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
Under "Preferred languages," find the language you want to remove.
Click the three dots (...) next to that language.
Select Remove.
Confirm your choice if prompted.

Changing the Display Language in Windows 10

Changing the language on Windows 10 is quite similar to Windows 11, though the exact menu names might be slightly different. This guide explains how to change the language on Windows 10, including how to get a Windows 10 language pack. It helps you customize your OS for a more personalized experience, which is nice.

Installing a Language Pack (Windows 10)

Just like in Windows 11, the first step is to add the language you want. This makes sure Windows has all the files it needs to show things in that language. It's a very important first step.

Open the Settings app. You can find it by clicking the Start button and then the gear icon.
Click on Time & Language.
From the left-hand menu, select Language.
Under the "Preferred languages" section, click Add a preferred language.
Search for or select the language you want to add.
Click Next.
Make sure "Install language pack" is checked. You can also choose other options like "Text-to-speech" if you need them.
Click Install. Windows will download and install the necessary files. This might take a bit, so just let it do its thing.

Setting Your Default Language (Windows 10)

After the language pack is installed, you can set it as your primary language for Windows 10. This changes the default language used by all Windows features like settings and File Explorer. It's pretty straightforward, really.

Go back to Settings > Time & Language > Language.
Under "Preferred languages," you'll see a list. If your new language isn't at the top, click on it and use the up arrow to move it to the first position.
Once it's at the top, click on the language, and then click Options.
Under "Language pack," ensure it says "Installed."
Go back to the main "Language" screen. Under "Windows display language," click the drop-down menu and select your newly installed language.
Windows will likely tell you that you need to sign out for the changes to take full effect. It's usually best to do this. So, save any open work, sign out, and then sign back in.

Managing Keyboard Languages and Layouts

Beyond the display language, managing your keyboard layouts is a separate, but equally important, part of customizing your setup. This is where you control how you type in different languages. Switching the keyboard layout on Windows 11 is a straightforward process that lets you type in different languages or utilize various keyboard configurations, which is quite handy.

Adding a Keyboard Layout

You can add or remove keyboard layouts for input languages in Windows 11 and manage different layouts. This is how you tell your computer about the different ways you might need to type. It's a pretty quick process.

Open Settings.
Go to Time & language > Language & region (Windows 11) or Time & Language > Language (Windows 10).
Under "Preferred languages," find the language you want to add a keyboard layout for. If it's not there, you'll need to add the language first as described earlier.
Click the three dots (...) next to the language and choose Language options.
Under the "Keyboards" section, click Add a keyboard.
Select the keyboard layout you want from the list. For instance, if you have French (France) as a language, you might add a "French (AZERTY)" layout.

Switching Keyboard Languages with Shortcuts

Once you have multiple keyboard layouts enabled, you can quickly switch between them using keyboard shortcuts. This is super convenient if you're typing in different languages often. In this article, we will delve into how to switch keyboard languages in Windows 11 using keyboard shortcuts, which is pretty neat.

The most common shortcut is Windows key + Spacebar. Each press cycles through your installed keyboard layouts.
Another common one is Alt + Shift. This also cycles through your layouts.
For older systems or specific configurations, Ctrl + Shift might also work.

These shortcuts work with the language bar you can modify, and you can even disable some if they conflict with other hotkeys you use. It's all about making your typing experience better in just a few clicks, you know.

Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

If the default shortcuts don't quite work for you, you can change them. This gives you more control over your typing environment, which is good. Additionally, we will explore how to customize these shortcuts to fit your needs.

Open Settings.
Go to Time & language > Typing (Windows 11) or Time & Language > Language (Windows 10).
In Windows 11, click on Advanced keyboard settings. In Windows 10, click on Keyboard under "Related settings."
Then, click on Input language hot keys.
A "Text Services and Input Languages" dialog box will appear. Select Change Key Sequence....
Here, you can choose different key combinations for switching input languages and keyboard layouts. Pick what feels most natural to you.
Click OK to save your changes.

Displaying the Language Bar on Your Taskbar

The language bar is a small icon on your taskbar that shows you which input language and keyboard layout are currently active. It's really helpful for knowing at a glance what you're typing with. You can find out how to display the input language icon in the taskbar and access speech, which is useful.

Open Settings.
Go to Time & language > Typing (Windows 11) or Time & Language > Language (Windows 10).
In Windows 11, click on Advanced keyboard settings. In Windows 10, click on Keyboard under "Related settings."
Check the box that says Use the desktop language bar when it's available.
You might also see an option to Show the language bar on the taskbar. Make sure this is enabled.

After you enable the keyboard layout for two or more languages in the Windows operating system, you can use the language bar to switch between languages that use different keyboard layouts. It's quite convenient, actually.

Troubleshooting Common Language Issues

Sometimes, things don't go exactly as planned. You might find that Windows 11 appears in a language you don't understand, or maybe some parts of Windows 10 just won't change. Don't worry, there are usually solutions for these hiccups. This post tells you the reasons why Windows 11/10 won't change language or change it thoroughly and offers solutions, which is good.

When Windows Won't Change Language

If you've followed the steps but your system language isn't updating completely, there are a few things to check. It can be a bit frustrating, but usually, a simple fix is all that's needed.

Sign out and Sign in Again: This is the most common solution. Many language changes only take full effect after you've signed out of your Windows account and then signed back in.
Restart Your PC: If signing out doesn't work, a full restart of your computer can often resolve lingering issues. This helps Windows load all the new language files correctly.
Check for Updates: Sometimes, an outdated Windows version might have trouble with language packs. Make sure your Windows is up to date by checking for updates in the Settings app.
Re-download Language Pack: If the language pack didn't install correctly, try removing it and then adding it again. A fresh download can sometimes fix corrupted files.
Admin Privileges: Make sure you are logged in with an administrator account when making these changes. Some system-level modifications require these permissions.

Fixing the Wrong Language in Settings or Apps

Do you have the wrong language configured on your PC, or is it showing up incorrectly in specific places? If so, in this guide, I'll show you the steps to correct the system language through the Settings app on Windows 11. These settings affect the language displayed in Windows, in apps, and at websites, so it's important to get it right.

Verify Display Language Priority: Double-check that your desired language is at the very top of the "Preferred languages" list in Settings. Windows always tries to use the top language for its UI.
App-Specific Language Settings: Some applications, especially non-Microsoft ones, have their own language settings that override Windows' preferences. Check the settings within the specific app if it's not displaying correctly. For example, a web browser might have its own language preferences.
Regional Format Settings: Beyond the display language, Windows also has "Regional format" settings. This affects how dates, times, and currency are displayed. Make sure this matches your preferred region. You can find this under Settings > Time & language > Language & region (Windows 11) or Time & Language > Region (Windows 10).
User Account Language: Each user account on a Windows PC can have its own language settings. If multiple people use the computer, ensure you're changing the settings for the correct user profile.

If you cannot change the display language in Windows 10, or if you experience that the language in some parts of Windows 10 (such as the settings menu) is still wrong, checking these areas can often point you to the solution. It's usually a matter of finding that one setting that's not quite aligned, you know.

Learn more about language customization on our site, and link to this page for more official Windows language support.

Frequently Asked Questions About Windows Language Changes

Many people have similar questions when they want to change their Windows language. Here are some common things folks ask, which is quite natural.

1. Why isn't my Windows language changing completely after I set it?

Often, the main reason for an incomplete language change is that you haven't signed out and then signed back into your Windows account. Many system-wide language adjustments need this step to fully apply. A full restart of your PC can also help ensure all components load with the new language. Sometimes, too, specific apps might have their own language settings, which is a bit different.

2. Can I change just the keyboard language without changing the entire display language?

Yes, absolutely! These two settings are separate, which is pretty useful. You can add multiple keyboard layouts for various input languages while keeping your Windows display language in English, or any other language you prefer. This is perfect if you type in different languages but want your system menus to stay consistent, which is a common need. You can then switch between keyboard layouts using shortcuts like Windows key + Spacebar, which is quite handy.

3. What if I accidentally set my Windows to a language I don't understand? How do I get back to English?

If you've accidentally chosen the wrong language on Windows 11 or 10, don't worry, it's fixable. The key is to remember the general path in the Settings app. You'll want to navigate to the "Time & language" section, then look for "Language & region" (on Windows 11) or just "Language" (on Windows 10). From there, you should see a list of installed languages. Your goal is to move English to the top of that list and then sign out and back in. It's a clear guide to changing the system language, even if you're a bit lost, you know.

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