Change your computer language in Settings, not by reinstalling
You can change the language your operating system displays without reinstalling Windows, macOS, or Linux. The process takes five to ten minutes and works whether you want to switch from English to Spanish, French to German, or any language your system supports. The steps differ slightly between Windows and macOS, but both let you change the display language, keyboard layout, and regional formats separately.
Most people need to change only the display language — the menus, buttons, and dialog boxes you see on screen. Some also want to add a second keyboard layout so they can type in another language without changing the whole system. You can do both from the same settings menu.
Key Takeaways
- Windows and macOS both let you change the display language through Settings without reinstalling the operating system.
- You can add multiple keyboard layouts and switch between them while keeping your display language the same.
- Changing the language does not affect your files, programs, or user account — only what language the system shows you.
- Some programs (like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Suite) have their own language settings separate from your operating system language.
- If your language is not listed, you may need to read a language pack first, which takes a few minutes on a broadband connection.
How to change language on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then press Enter. Click on "Time & language" in the left sidebar. Select "Language & region" from the menu that appears.
Under "Preferred languages", click the blue "Add a language" button. A window will open showing all available languages. Find the language you want, click it, and then click "Next". Windows will ask whether you want to read the language pack — click "Install" to read it. This step takes a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Once the read finishes, you will see the new language listed under "Preferred languages". Click on it, then click "Set as default". Windows will ask you to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect. After you sign back in, all menus, buttons, and system messages will appear in your chosen language.
How to change language on macOS
Click the Apple menu in the top-left corner and select "System Settings" (or "System Preferences" on older macOS versions). Click "General" in the sidebar, then click "Language & Region".
Click the "Preferred languages" dropdown menu. A list of available languages will appear. Click the language you want, then drag it to the top of the list. macOS will ask you to restart your computer. Click "Restart" to explore the change when ready, or click "Later" to explore it the next time you restart.
If your language does not appear in the list, it may not be installed on your system. Click the "+" button at the bottom of the language list, select your language, and click "Add". macOS will read the language pack, which usually takes a few minutes.
Adding a keyboard layout without changing your display language
You can type in another language while keeping your system menus in English (or any other language). This is useful if you want to write emails or documents in multiple languages but prefer to navigate your computer in one language.
On Windows: Open Settings, go to "Time & language", then "Language & region". Under "Related settings", click "Typing". Click "Add a keyboard" and select the language and keyboard layout you want. Once added, you can switch between keyboards by clicking the language icon in the taskbar (bottom-right corner) or by pressing Windows key + Space.
On macOS: Click the Apple menu, open "System Settings", then "Keyboard". Click "Input Sources" in the sidebar. Click the "+" button, select your language, choose the keyboard layout, and click "Add". A flag icon will appear in the menu bar at the top of the screen — click it to switch between keyboard layouts.
Changing language in individual programs
Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and many other programs have their own language settings separate from your operating system. Changing your system language will not automatically change these programs.
Microsoft Office: Open any Office program (Word, Excel, Outlook). Click "File", then "Options" (or "Preferences" on Mac). Click "Language" in the left sidebar. Under "Office authoring languages", click "Add a language", select your language, and click "Add". The program will restart and display in your chosen language.
Google Chrome: Click the three-dot menu in the top-right corner, then "Settings". Click "Languages" in the left sidebar. Click "Add languages", select your language, and click "Add". Chrome will ask whether you want to display the browser interface in that language — click "Display Google Chrome in this language" to explore the change.
Firefox: Click the menu button (three horizontal lines) in the top-right corner, then "Settings". Click "General" in the left sidebar, then scroll to "Language". Click the dropdown next to "Language" and select your language. Firefox will restart and display in your chosen language.
What happens when you change your language
Changing your system language affects only how your operating system displays information to you. Your files, documents, photos, and programs remain unchanged. If you have a document written in English, it will still be in English after you change your system language to Spanish — only the menus and buttons around it will change.
Your user account name, password, and login information do not change. You will still sign in the same way. Any programs you have installed will continue to work, though some may need to be restarted to display in the new language.
If you change your mind, you can change back to your original language using the same steps. There is no penalty for switching languages multiple times.
Troubleshooting language changes that do not work
If you add a language but it does not appear in the language list, your system may not have finished downloading the language pack. Wait a few minutes and refresh the Settings page by pressing F5 or closing and reopening Settings.
If the display language does not change after you set it as default and restart, make sure you actually restarted your computer (not just put it to sleep). On Windows, some programs may still display in the old language until you restart them individually. On macOS, log out completely and log back in if a straightforward restart does not work.
If a language you need is not available in your system's language list, check whether your operating system version supports it. Very old versions of Windows or macOS may not have language packs for less common languages. Updating your operating system usually adds more language options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing my language affect my files or documents?
No. Your files, documents, photos, and all your data remain exactly as they are. Only the language of the system menus, buttons, and dialog boxes changes. A Word document written in English will still be in English after you change your system language to French.
Can I use two languages at the same time?
Yes. You can set one language as your display language and add other keyboard layouts for typing. Switch between keyboards using the language icon in your taskbar (Windows) or menu bar (macOS). Your system will display in one language while you type in another.
What if I do not see my language in the list?
Click "Add a language" or the "+" button and search for it by typing the first few letters. If it still does not appear, your system may need to read a language pack first. Select the language and click "Install" or "Add" — the read usually takes a few minutes on a broadband connection.
Do I need to restart my computer after changing the language?
On Windows, you will be asked to sign out and sign back in. On macOS, you will be asked to restart. Both are required for the change to take effect across all system menus and programs.
Can I change the language back to English if I change my mind?
Yes. Use the same steps to set English (or any other language) as your default. You can switch languages as many times as you want with no consequences.