Change Display Language in Windows 11

  1. 1

    Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region

    Press Windows key + I to open Settings. Click Time & Language in the left sidebar. Click Language & Region.

  2. 2

    Click Add a Language

    Under Preferred Languages, click Add a language. Search for the language you want (e.g. “English (Australia)”, “French”, “Spanish”). Click it and click Next.

  3. 3

    Tick “Set as my Windows display language”

    On the install options screen, ensure “Set as my Windows display language” is ticked. Click Install. Windows downloads the language pack.

  4. 4

    Sign out and back in

    Windows prompts you to sign out and back in for the language change to take effect. After signing in, the interface displays in the new language.

Change Display Language in Windows 10

Settings → Time & Language → Language. Click Add a preferred language. Search and select your language → click Next → check “Set as my Windows display language” → Install. Sign out and back in to apply.

Change Keyboard Language Only (Without Changing Interface)

If you only want to type in another language without changing menus: Settings → Time & Language → Language & Region → click the three dots next to your current language → Language options → Add a keyboard. Switch keyboards with Windows key + Space or the language bar in the taskbar.

If the language option is greyed outSome Windows editions (particularly Windows 10 Home in certain markets) restrict language options. If changing the display language is not available, you may need Windows 10/11 Pro or to contact your IT administrator if on a work device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the same steps but select English (or your original language). Even if the menus are now in an unfamiliar language, the Settings location is the same: Windows key + I, then the fourth or fifth item in the sidebar (clock icon = Time & Language). The language and region option is usually the second item in that section.
The Windows interface (menus, settings, File Explorer) changes to the new language. Microsoft Office apps follow the display language if the language pack is installed in Office as well. Third-party apps (Chrome, Spotify etc) have their own language settings independent of Windows.