Change your PC language in Settings, then sign out and back in

The fastest way to change your PC's display language is through the Settings app. Open Settings, go to Time & Language, select Language & Region, and choose your preferred language from the list. Windows will read the language pack if you don't have it installed yet. After the read finishes, sign out of your account and sign back in — the change takes full effect only after you log in again.

If your preferred language doesn't appear in the main list, scroll down to see more options. Some languages require additional downloads before they become available. The process is the same whether you're using Windows 11 or Windows 10, though the Settings menu layout differs slightly between versions.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, navigate to Time & Language, then Language & Region to find the language menu.
  • Select your preferred language from the list, and Windows will read the language pack automatically.
  • Sign out completely and sign back in for the language change to take effect across all menus and apps.
  • If you need a language not shown in the main list, scroll down or search for it in the full language options.
  • You can set a different display language while keeping your keyboard layout separate if you type in multiple languages.

Step-by-step process for Windows 11

Start by clicking the Start button and typing "Settings" into the search box. Open the Settings app. On the left sidebar, click Time & Language. Then click Language & Region.

In the Language & Region window, you'll see your current language at the top under "Windows display language." Click the dropdown menu next to it. A list of available languages appears. Find and click the language you want. If Windows needs to read the language pack, it will start automatically — this can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

Once the read completes, you'll see a prompt asking you to sign out. Click "Sign out now" or wait until you're ready and sign out manually later. When you sign back in, your entire interface — menus, buttons, dialog boxes, and system messages — will display in your chosen language.

Step-by-step process for Windows 10

Click the Start button and search for "Settings." Open the Settings app. Click Time & Language on the left side of the window.

In the Time & Language menu, click Region & Language. Under "Languages," you'll see your current language listed. Click the "Add a language" button or look for a plus sign. A window opens showing available languages. Find your language and click it. Windows downloads the language pack in the background.

After the read finishes, click your newly added language in the list, then click "Set as default." Windows will ask you to sign out. Do so, then sign back in. Your display language is now changed.

What happens if your language isn't in the main list

If you scroll through the language menu and don't see your language, it may be listed under a region or variant. For example, Portuguese appears as both "Portuguese (Brazil)" and "Portuguese (Portugal)." Click the language category that matches your region.

Some languages require you to scroll down in the full list or use the search box at the top of the language window. Type the first few letters of your language name, and Windows filters the list. Once you find it, select it and let Windows read the pack.

Keyboard layout versus display language

Your keyboard layout and your display language are separate settings. You can have your menus in English but type in Spanish, or vice versa. If you want to change only your keyboard layout without changing the language Windows displays, go to Settings > Time & Language > Keyboard, then add a new keyboard layout there.

This is useful if you work in one language but need to type in another regularly. You can switch between keyboard layouts using the language bar in the taskbar or by pressing Windows key + Space.

Troubleshooting language pack downloads

If Windows starts downloading a language pack but the read stalls or fails, check your internet connection. Language packs can be large, so a weak connection may cause timeouts. Close Settings and try again after a few minutes.

If the language still won't read, restart your PC and return to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region. Sometimes a restart clears temporary issues that block downloads. If a specific language consistently fails to read, that language pack may be temporarily unavailable from Microsoft's servers — try again the next day.

Changing language for individual apps

Some apps let you change their language independently of your system language. Open the app, look for Settings or Preferences, and search for a Language option. Microsoft Office, for example, has its own language settings separate from Windows.

If an app doesn't have its own language menu, it will use whatever language your PC is set to display. Changing your system language will change the app's language automatically unless the app has overridden that setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my language delete my files or programs?

No. Changing your display language only changes the text Windows shows you. All your files, programs, and settings remain exactly as they were. You can switch back to your original language at any time without losing anything.

Do I have to sign out for the language change to work?

Yes. Windows requires you to sign out and sign back in for the language change to take effect across the entire system. If you don't sign out, some menus and apps may still show in your old language until you do.

Can I have multiple languages installed at once?

Yes. You can add multiple languages to your PC and switch between them. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & Region, add each language you want, and set one as your default. You can change your default language anytime.

What if Windows is in a language I don't understand?

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Look for the icon that looks like a globe or clock (Time & Language). Click it, then look for the dropdown menu with language names. Even if you can't read the labels, the layout is the same in every language version of Windows.

Does changing language affect my Microsoft account or cloud files?

No. Your Microsoft account, OneDrive files, and cloud settings are not affected by changing your display language. Your account language preference may update, but your data stays the same and syncs normally across devices.