Windows supports a wide range of languages. Apart from the default language, you can add almost any other language using Windows language packs. The following shows how to add, remove or change language packs in Windows.
Content
- Install Language Packs from Windows Settings
- Install Language Packs Using PowerShell
- Install Language Packs Using Registry Editor
- Remove Language Packs from Settings
- Remove Language Packs Using PowerShell
If your Windows license supports only one display language, as it is with my device, English (US) is set as the default. Any other display language (e.g., French) needs to be set at the time of purchase. This cannot be changed unless you change your license. But you can still add more language packs to Windows.
Install Language Packs from Windows Settings
In Windows 11, go to Settings -> Time & Language -> Language & Region. Windows 10 users should go to Start -> Settings -> Time & Language -> Language.
On the right panel, Windows will show all the language packs that are currently installed on your system under the Preferred Languages section. To install a language pack, click on the Add a Language button.
Windows will now list all the available language packs, including regional language variations. Either scroll down to find the language pack you are looking for or use the search bar. Select it and click on the Next button.
Many Windows users prefer English, regardless of their location. You can choose any English language variation like English (Australia) or English (Canada) in addition to the default English (US).
As part of the language pack, if available, Windows will also download additional components like Enhanced speech recognition and Handwriting. If you don’t need them, uncheck those components and click on the Install button.
Depending on the language pack and its additional components, it can take some time to download and install the pack.
Once installed, the language pack will be applied automatically on your next reboot. You can also change the sorting of preferred languages in Windows 11 by clicking on the three dot button followed by Move up or Move down. Windows 10 users have arrow buttons or the option to drag and drop for sorting.
You also need your computer keyboard to adjust to a new language. Select your language and choose Language options for Windows 11, or Options for Windows 10 users. Here you can see all the installed keyboard layouts. To add a new one, click on the Add a Keyboard button.
Install Language Packs Using PowerShell
In all latest versions of Windows 11 and Windows 10, you can use PowerShell to install and add language packs. Open it in Administrator mode from Run command, Win + R, by typing powershell followed by Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
First, get the set of installed languages on your device using
Get-InstalledLanguage
After this, enter the following to add any new language to your system.
Install-Language -Language *Language code*
So, if it’s French from France, the language code would be fr-fr. For Australian English, use en-au. It can take anything from a few seconds to several minutes for a new language pack to install.
Install Language Packs Using Registry Editor
You can also use the Registry Editor to install a new language on your Windows device. It’s helpful if you found a full-featured language pack online that you want to install. Open the Registry by typing regedit in the Run command. Once it opens, go down the following path:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Next to the Run value, create a new string and name it after the language you want to install. For example, es-es for Spain Spanish. You need to have the language installer pack saved in one of your Windows folders. Copy-paste its path in the Value data field of the new string.
Also read: find out how to install and manage fonts in Windows.
Removing a Windows Language Pack
If you want to remove a language pack from Windows, you first have to change the Windows display language. It depends on your license, and some Windows licenses don’t allow you to change the primary language.
There are two ways to do this.
Remove Language Packs from Settings
Go to the Language & Region page in Settings, and Move down any installed language that you want to get rid of. Click the three dot button to Remove this language. This option will be greyed out for the first language, which is also your display language. It just takes a few quick seconds for the language to be permanently removed from your device.
Also read: fix pixelated and corrupted fonts in Windows using these tricks.
Remove Language Packs Using PowerShell
It’s easy to remove a language using PowerShell method. This method is useful when you cannot remove the language from Settings and need to force the removal. Open the PowerShell window in administrator mode. As shown earlier, display the list of installed languages on your device using Get-InstalledLanguage.
To remove any language from your system, type the following:
Uninstall-Language -Language *Language code
In this example, I’m removing British English. So, the code would be en-GB. It takes around just a second to delete the language from your system.
Whether you’re bilingual, multilingual, or just want to switch between different languages for Windows display or writing, Windows allows you to install one or more extra language packs.
Having an extra language pack in Windows is useful when dealing with languages with complex scripts. It helps support typing them in Office and Microsoft 365 applications. You might also need to type emojis and special characters and there are multiple ways to do it on a Windows device.
Image Credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.
Sayak Boral –
Staff Writer
Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.
Subscribe to our newsletter!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
Sign up for all newsletters.
By signing up, you agree to our Privacy Policy and European users agree to the data transfer policy. We will not share your data and you can unsubscribe at any time. Subscribe