How to Change Windows 10 Language

Changing the display language in Windows 10 is straightforward, but it affects how you interact with your system. You can add multiple languages and switch between them at any time. This guide covers the full process, from adding a language to making it your primary display language, plus what to do if things don’t go smoothly.

What You’ll Need

A Windows 10 PC with an internet connection (to download language packs).
An administrator account (you’ll need it to install a new language).
Your desired language name (e.g., Spanish, French, Japanese).

Step-by-Step

Open Settings: Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner, then click the gear icon (Settings). Alternatively, press Windows + I on your keyboard.
Go to Time & Language: In the Settings window, click on Time & Language. It’s usually the second icon in the first row.
Select Language: In the left sidebar, click Language. This opens the language settings panel.
Add a language: Under the “Preferred languages” section, click Add a language. A list of available languages will appear. You can search for your desired language using the search box. Click the language you want, then click Next.
Choose options (optional): In the next window, you can choose whether to install the language pack (needed for display language) and whether to set it as your Windows display language. If you want to change the display language, make sure the box for “Set as my Windows display language” is checked. Then click Install.
Sign out and sign back in: After the language pack installs, you’ll see a prompt to sign out. Click Sign out (or do it manually). After signing back in, the new language will be applied to your system.

If you didn’t set the display language during installation, you can do it later: go to the same Language settings, click on the language you want, and click Set as default. Then sign out and back in.

Common Mistakes

Not installing the language pack: Adding a language without the language pack won’t change the display language. You need to install the pack (it’s usually a few hundred MB).
Forgetting to sign out: Simply adding a language doesn’t apply it. You must sign out and sign back in (or restart) for the change to take effect.
Choosing the wrong language variant: Some languages have regional variants (e.g., Spanish (Spain) vs. Spanish (Mexico)). Pick the one that matches your preference, as spelling and some terms may differ.
Not setting as default: If you have multiple languages, Windows may not automatically switch to the new one. You must explicitly click “Set as default” for the language you want.

Tips

Keep your original language: Don’t remove your original language until you’re sure the new one works well. You can always switch back.
Use the language bar: After adding multiple languages, you can quickly switch between them using the language bar in the taskbar (next to the clock). Click the language abbreviation (e.g., ENG) and select the one you want.
Change the format too: In the same Language settings, you can also change date, time, and number formats to match your region. This is separate from the display language.
Check app compatibility: Some older apps may not fully support your new language and might still show English text. This is normal and not a system error.

Troubleshooting

Language pack won’t download: If the download fails, check your internet connection and try again. You can also try restarting your PC and then going back to Language settings. If the issue persists, run the Windows Update troubleshooter (Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Additional troubleshooters > Windows Update).
Display language doesn’t change: Make sure you’ve set the language as default and signed out. If it still doesn’t change, try restarting your PC. If the problem continues, you may need to remove the language and re-add it.
Some text remains in English: Certain system components (like some legacy control panel items) may not be fully translated. This is a known limitation of Windows 10, not a mistake on your part.
You can’t add a language: If the “Add a language” button is grayed out, you likely don’t have administrator privileges. Sign in with an admin account and try again.
Accidentally set the wrong language and can’t read the menus: If you set a language you can’t read, don’t panic. The steps are the same: open Settings (gear icon), go to Time & Language (clock icon), then Language (globe icon). Look for the language you want and click “Set as default” (or the equivalent). Sign out and back in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the language without reinstalling Windows?

Yes, you can change the display language by adding a language pack and setting it as default. No reinstall is needed.

Will changing the language affect my files?

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

Can I use two languages at the same time?

Yes, you can have multiple languages installed and switch between them using the language bar in the taskbar. Each app will use the display language you’ve selected, but you can switch anytime.

Do I need to download a language pack?

Yes, to change the display language, you need to install the language pack. It’s included in the installation process when you add a language and check the box for display language.

What if I don’t see my language in the list?

Windows 10 supports a wide range of languages. If yours isn’t listed, it may not be available as a display language. You can still add it for keyboard input, but the interface won’t change.

How do I remove a language I no longer need?

Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language, click on the language you want to remove, and click “Remove.” You can’t remove the language that is currently set as default.

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