The fastest way to change your Windows 10 language
Open Settings by pressing the Windows key and typing "Settings", then select the app. Go to Time & Language, then click Language in the left sidebar. Under "Windows display language", click the dropdown menu and select the language you want. Windows will ask you to sign out and back in for the change to take effect — do that, and your interface will be in the new language.
This method changes the language for menus, buttons, notifications, and system messages. It does not change the language of documents you have already created or websites you visit — only Windows itself.
If the language you want does not appear in the dropdown, you may need to add it first. Scroll down to "Preferred languages" and click "Add a language", then search for and select the one you need. Windows will read the language pack in the background, which can take a few minutes depending on your internet speed.
Key Takeaways
- The language dropdown is in Settings > Time & Language > Language, and you can change it without restarting your computer — only signing out and back in.
- If your language does not appear in the dropdown, add it first under "Preferred languages" and let Windows read the language pack.
- Changing the Windows display language affects only the system interface, not your files or the content of websites.
- Some languages require additional fonts or input methods, which Windows installs automatically when you add the language.
Adding a language that is not in the dropdown
If you do not see your language in the Windows display language dropdown, it is not installed yet. Click Add a language under "Preferred languages". A search box will open — type the name of the language or the country where it is spoken, and Windows will show matching options.
Select the language from the list. Windows will read the language pack, which includes the interface text and fonts needed to display that language correctly. The read happens in the background and usually takes between two and ten minutes, depending on file size and your connection speed.
Once the read finishes, go back to the Windows display language dropdown. Your new language should now appear there. Select it, sign out, and sign back in.
Changing the keyboard layout without changing the display language
You can type in a different language without changing the Windows interface itself. Open Settings, go to Time & Language, then click Language. Under "Preferred languages", find the language you want to type in and click it, then click Options.
Click Add a keyboard and select the keyboard layout you want. You can add multiple keyboards for the same language — for example, QWERTY and AZERTY French keyboards. Once added, you can switch between them by clicking the language icon in the taskbar (bottom right of your screen) or by pressing Windows key + Space.
This approach is useful if you want to keep Windows in English but type emails or documents in another language. The display language stays the same; only your keyboard input changes.
What happens to your files and programs when you change the language
Changing the Windows display language does not affect your documents, photos, or any files you have created. The content inside those files stays exactly as it was. Only the names of system folders and the Windows interface itself change language.
Most programs you have installed will continue to display in their own language settings, which are usually separate from Windows. Microsoft Office, web browsers, and other applications have their own language menus. If you want those programs in the same language as Windows, you may need to change their settings separately.
Switching back to your original language
If you change the display language and want to switch back, the process is the same. Open Settings, go to Time & Language > Language, and select your original language from the Windows display language dropdown. Sign out and back in, and Windows will return to that language.
If you added a language you no longer need, you can remove it. Find the language under "Preferred languages", click it, then click Remove. This frees up storage space, since language packs take up several hundred megabytes each.
Troubleshooting language changes that do not work
If you select a new language but Windows does not change after you sign back in, restart your computer instead of just signing out. Some language packs require a full restart to set up properly.
If the language pack read seems stuck, check your internet connection and try again. Open Settings > System > Storage and look at how much free space you have — language packs need at least 500 MB of free space to read. If you are running low, delete temporary files or uninstall programs you no longer use.
If a language appears in the dropdown but displays incorrectly (with boxes or question marks instead of letters), the font for that language may not have installed. Go back to Time & Language > Language, find the language, click Options, and check that all components show a checkmark. If any show a warning icon, click read next to them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will changing the Windows language affect my Microsoft account or cloud files?
No. Your Microsoft account and OneDrive files are not affected by the display language you choose. The language change is local to your computer only. If you sign into Windows on a different computer, it will use that computer's language setting, not the one you chose on your first computer.
Can I have Windows display in two languages at the same time?
No, Windows displays in one language at a time. You can switch between languages by signing out and back in, but the entire interface will be in whichever language you select. You can, however, add multiple keyboard layouts so you can type in different languages without changing the display language.
Do I need to uninstall Windows and reinstall it to change the language?
No. Language changes happen through Settings and do not require reinstalling Windows. The process takes a few minutes and only requires you to sign out and back in.
What if my language is not in the list when I click Add a Language?
Windows 10 supports most major languages, but some regional or minority languages may not be available. Check that you are typing the language name correctly — try both the English name and the native name. If it still does not appear, that language may not be supported in Windows 10.