How to Change Windows 10 Language to English

Changing the language in Windows 10 affects the text you see in menus, settings, and apps. It does not automatically change the keyboard layout or regional formats (like date and currency), which you can adjust separately. Before you start, make sure you have an internet connection because Windows may need to download language files.

What You’ll Need

Windows 10 PC with administrator access
Internet connection
Your Microsoft account password (if you use one)

Step-by-Step

Open Settings. Click the Start button (Windows logo) at the bottom-left of your screen, then click the gear icon (Settings). You can also press Windows + I on your keyboard.
Go to Time & Language. In the Settings window, click on Time & Language (it has a clock and globe icon).
Select Language. In the left sidebar, click Language. This shows your preferred languages and the current Windows display language.
Add English. Under “Preferred languages,” click Add a language. In the search box, type English (or the specific variant like “English (United States)” or “English (United Kingdom)”). Select the one you want and click Next.
Install language pack. On the next screen, check the box for Set as my Windows display language. You can also check Speech recognition and Handwriting if you want those features in English. Then click Install. Windows will download and install the language pack. This may take a few minutes.
Sign out and sign back in. After installation, you’ll see a message: “Do you want to sign out now?” Save your work, then click Yes (or “Sign out”). After signing back in, the display language will be English.

Common Mistakes

Not setting it as display language: If you forget to check “Set as my Windows display language” during installation, the language will be added but not applied. You can change it later by clicking on the language in the list and choosing “Set as default.”
Choosing the wrong variant: “English (United States)” and “English (United Kingdom)” have different spellings and some different terms. Pick the one that matches your preference or region.
Not signing out: Some settings apply only after you sign out and back in. If you don’t, the change may not appear immediately.
Confusing display language with keyboard: Changing the display language does not change your keyboard layout. If you need to type in English, you may need to add an English keyboard under “Keyboards” in the same Language settings.

Tips

If you want to switch between languages quickly, you can set up a language bar. Go to Settings > Devices > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings and choose “Use the desktop language bar when it’s available.”
You can move English to the top of your preferred languages list by selecting it and clicking Move up. This makes it the default for apps that support multiple languages.
For apps that don’t automatically follow the display language, you can change their language individually in their own settings (if they support it).
If you have a Microsoft account, your language preference may sync across devices. You can manage this in Settings > Accounts > Sync your settings.

Troubleshooting

English doesn’t appear in the list after adding

If you added English but it doesn’t show as an option, try restarting your PC. Also, check that the language pack was actually installed. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language, click on English, and see if “Options” shows “Windows display language” as installed. If not, click “Options” and install the language pack from there.

Language pack download fails

If the download fails, check your internet connection and try again. You can also try running Windows Update to ensure your system is up to date. If the problem persists, use the “Add a language” method and select “Set as my Windows display language” but uncheck other options like speech – sometimes those extra features cause issues.

Some text still appears in the old language

Not all apps and system elements will immediately change. Some apps need to be restarted, and some legacy apps may not support language changes at all. Also, some system dialog boxes may remain in the original language until the next Windows update. Restart your PC to apply as much as possible.

I can’t find the Language settings

In some Windows 10 versions, the path may be slightly different. You can also open the Control Panel, click “Clock, Language, and Region,” then “Language,” and follow similar steps. The Settings app is the recommended method, but the Control Panel still works.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing the display language affect my files?

No, changing the display language does not affect your files, documents, or installed programs. It only changes the language of the Windows interface.

Can I have multiple display languages?

Yes, you can add multiple languages, but only one can be the display language at a time. You can switch between them by changing the “Windows display language” setting.

Do I need to reinstall Windows to change the language?

No, you don’t need to reinstall. You can add a language pack and change the display language as described above.

Will my keyboard layout change automatically?

No, the keyboard layout is separate. You can add an English keyboard layout under the same Language settings, and switch between layouts using the language bar or the Windows key + Spacebar.

What if I want to change the language back to my original?

You can follow the same steps and select your original language as the display language. The original language pack should still be installed.

Does this work on Windows 10 Home?

Yes, this method works on all editions of Windows 10, including Home.

Sources: Microsoft Support. Menus and buttons can differ slightly by version. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.