Change your language in Windows Settings

The fastest way to change your PC's language is through the Settings app. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings," then select the app. Go to Time & language, then Language & region on the left side. Under "Language," click Add a language, search for the language you want, and select it from the list.

Once you've added the language, Windows will read the necessary files — this can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed. After the read finishes, click the three dots next to your new language and select Set as default. You'll be asked to sign out and back in for the change to take effect. When you restart your session, Windows menus, buttons, and system text will appear in your chosen language.

If you want to keep your current language as the default but use another language for specific apps, you can skip the "Set as default" step. Instead, individual programs can be configured to use a different language in their own settings.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, go to Time & language, then Language & region, and click Add a language to install a new language pack.
  • After the language downloads, click the three dots next to it and select Set as default to make it your system language.
  • You must sign out and back in to Windows for the language change to explore to the entire system.
  • Some apps have their own language settings separate from Windows, so you may need to change the language within each program individually.
  • Removing a language is done from the same Language & region menu by clicking the language and selecting Remove.

What happens during the language read

When you add a new language, Windows downloads a language pack that includes fonts, keyboard layouts, spell-check dictionaries, and text-to-speech files. The size of the read varies — most language packs are between 100 MB and 500 MB. A faster internet connection will complete the read in a few minutes, while slower connections may take 10 to 20 minutes.

During the read, you can continue using your PC normally. The read happens in the background. If your internet cuts out before the read finishes, Windows will resume it the next time you open Settings and try to set that language as default.

Changing the keyboard layout separately from the display language

Your keyboard layout and your display language are separate settings. You can have Windows display in English but use a French keyboard layout, or vice versa. To add a keyboard layout without changing your display language, go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, scroll down to Related settings, and click Keyboard.

Click Add a keyboard and select the layout you want. You can then switch between keyboard layouts using the language switcher in your system tray (the small icon near the clock). This is useful if you type in multiple languages but want to keep your menus and system text in one language.

Changing language for individual apps

Some programs, like Microsoft Office or web browsers, let you change their language independently of Windows. Open the app, go to its settings or preferences menu, and look for a "Language" or "Display language" option. The exact location varies by program — Microsoft Word, for example, has language settings under File > Options > Language, while Google Chrome has them under Settings > Languages.

Changing an app's language does not affect Windows itself or other programs. This is helpful if you want your operating system in one language but prefer to work in another language within a specific program.

Removing a language you no longer need

If you've added a language but no longer use it, you can remove it to free up storage space. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region, find the language in the list, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove. The language pack will be deleted from your PC.

You cannot remove your default language this way. If you want to remove the language you're currently using, you must first set a different language as default, sign out and back in, and then remove the old language.

Troubleshooting language changes that don't appear

If you've set a new language as default but Windows still displays in your old language after signing back in, restart your PC completely rather than just signing out. A full restart ensures all system processes load with the new language setting. If the problem persists, check that the language read completed successfully by returning to Settings > Time & language > Language & region and confirming the language shows a checkmark.

Some older programs may not support all languages and will continue to display in English or their default language regardless of your Windows setting. This is a limitation of the individual app, not Windows. You can usually change the language within that specific program if it offers the option.

Switching between multiple languages quickly

Once you've added multiple languages, you can switch between them without going back to Settings. Look for the language indicator in your system tray (bottom right of the screen, near the clock). Click it to see all your installed languages and select the one you want to use. Windows will switch when ready.

You can also use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + Space to cycle through your installed languages. This is faster than using the system tray if you switch languages frequently.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to restart my PC after changing the language?

You need to sign out and back in for the language change to take effect across Windows. A full restart is not required, but it can help if the change doesn't appear after signing back in. Some apps may need to be closed and reopened to display in the new language.

Will changing my language affect my files or programs?

No. Changing the display language only changes how Windows menus and system text appear. Your documents, photos, and installed programs remain unchanged. The language you use to type in documents is controlled by your keyboard layout and spell-check settings, not your system language.

Can I have Windows display in one language and use a keyboard for another?

Yes. Your display language and keyboard layout are independent. You can set Windows to display in English while using a Spanish keyboard layout, or any other combination. Add the keyboard layout separately in Settings > Time & language > Keyboard, then switch between them using the language switcher in your system tray.

What if my language isn't in the list when I try to add it?

Windows includes most major languages, but some regional or minority languages may not be available. Check that you're searching with the correct spelling or the language's native name. If it still doesn't appear, your version of Windows may not support that language. You can verify which languages are available by checking Microsoft's language support documentation for your Windows version.

Can I remove English if I want to use only another language?

You can set any language as your default, but Windows requires at least one language to be installed. You cannot remove all languages. If you set a different language as default and then try to remove English, Windows will prevent the removal because it needs a fallback language for system stability.