Change your PC language in Settings, and Windows will switch menus, dialogs, and system text to your chosen language

The fastest way is to open Settings, go to Time & Language, select Language, and pick a new language from the list. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take full effect. The whole process takes about two minutes.

What actually changes depends on which language you add. If you pick a language that's already installed on your PC, only the display language switches — menus, error messages, and system dialogs appear in that language, but your files and documents stay in their original language. If you pick a language that isn't installed yet, Windows downloads the language pack automatically, which can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.

You can also set a different language just for your user account, or add multiple languages and switch between them without restarting. The steps differ slightly between Windows 11 and Windows 10, but both follow the same path through Settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Time & Language, then Language, and select a new language from the list to change your display language when ready.
  • Windows downloads language packs automatically if the language you choose isn't already installed, which takes a few minutes on most connections.
  • You must sign out and back in for the change to take effect across all system menus and dialogs.
  • You can add multiple languages and switch between them without reinstalling Windows or restarting your PC each time.
  • Changing the display language does not change the language of your files, documents, or installed programs unless you change their settings separately.

How to change language in Windows 11

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, or click the Start button, type "Settings", and press Enter. On the left side, click Time & Language. Then click Language & region.

Under "Language", you'll see your current language listed. Click the Add a language button. A window opens showing available languages. Find the language you want, click it, and then click Next. Windows shows you options for keyboard layout and whether to set this as your display language. Check the box next to Set as my display language if you want to switch to it right away. Click Install.

Windows downloads the language pack. This usually takes one to five minutes. Once it finishes, you'll see a prompt asking you to sign out. Click Sign out now. When you sign back in, your PC displays in the new language. If you don't sign out when ready, the change takes effect the next time you restart your PC.

How to change language in Windows 10

Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Time & Language. On the left, click Language. Under "Windows display language", you'll see your current language.

Click Add a language under "Preferred languages". A list of available languages appears. Click the language you want. If it's not installed, Windows shows a read button. Click it, and Windows downloads the language pack in the background. Once the read finishes, click the language name, then click Set as default. You'll see a message asking you to sign out for the change to take effect. Click Sign out, and when you log back in, your display language has changed.

What happens to your files and programs when you change language

Changing your display language does not translate your documents, emails, or files. A Word document written in English stays in English. Your photos, spreadsheets, and downloads remain exactly as they were. Only the Windows interface — buttons, menus, error messages, and system dialogs — switches to the new language.

Most programs you've installed, like Microsoft Office, Chrome, or Spotify, have their own language settings. Changing your PC language does not automatically change them. If you want those programs to display in your new language, you'll need to change their settings separately. Some programs detect your Windows language and switch automatically; others require you to go into their preferences and select the language manually.

How to add multiple languages without losing your current one

You can keep your current language and add others. In Settings, go to Time & Language > Language & region (Windows 11) or Time & Language > Language (Windows 10). Click Add a language, pick a new language, and click Next. This time, do not check the box that says "Set as my display language". Click Install. Windows downloads the language pack, and when it finishes, the new language appears in your language list without becoming your default.

Once you have multiple languages installed, you can switch between them without restarting. In Windows 11, click the language icon in the system tray (bottom right corner) and select the language you want to use. In Windows 10, press Windows key + Spacebar to cycle through your installed languages. The change takes effect when ready for new windows and dialogs you open, though some programs may need to be closed and reopened to display in the new language.

Removing a language you no longer use

If you've added languages you don't need, you can remove them. In Windows 11, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language & region. Find the language you want to remove, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. In Windows 10, go to Settings > Time & Language > Language, click the language you want to remove, and click Remove.

You cannot remove your current display language this way. If you want to remove the language you're currently using, you must first switch to a different language, sign out and back in, and then remove the old one. Windows always requires at least one language to be installed on your PC.

Troubleshooting language changes that don't stick

If you change your language but it reverts to the old one after you restart, you may not have signed out after the change. Go back to Settings, select your preferred language, and look for a prompt to sign out. Click it and sign back in. The change should persist after that.

If Windows is still not switching languages, check that the language pack downloaded completely. In Settings, go to Time & Language > Language & region (Windows 11) or Time & Language > Language (Windows 10). If you see a read button next to your language, the pack didn't finish installing. Click read, wait for it to complete, and then sign out and back in. If the read keeps failing, check your internet connection and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my PC language change the language of Microsoft Office or other programs?

Not automatically. Changing your Windows display language only affects the Windows interface itself. Programs like Word, Excel, and Outlook have their own language settings. You'll need to open each program, go to its settings or preferences, and change the language there. Some programs detect your Windows language and offer to switch automatically the first time you run them after a language change.

Can I use my PC in two languages at the same time?

Yes. Add both languages in Settings, and they'll both appear in your language list. You can switch between them using the language icon in the system tray (Windows 11) or by pressing Windows key + Spacebar (Windows 10). The switch takes effect when ready for new windows, though some open programs may need to be closed and reopened to display in the new language.

What if my language isn't in the list when I click Add a language?

Most languages are available, but some regional variants or less common languages may not be. Check that you're spelling the language name correctly and that you're looking in the full list, not a filtered view. If it's still not there, your version of Windows may not support that language. You can check Microsoft's documentation for your Windows version to see which languages are supported.

Do I need to restart my PC for the language change to take effect?

You need to sign out and back in, but not a full restart. When you change your display language, Windows asks you to sign out. Click Sign out now, and when you log back in, the new language is active. If you don't sign out when ready, the change takes effect the next time you restart your PC.

Can I change the language for just one user account on my PC?

Yes. Each user account on your PC can have its own display language. When you add a language and set it as your display language, it applies only to your account. Other users on the same PC will continue to see Windows in their own language setting. Each person signs in with their own account and can choose their own preferred language independently.