Manage the input and display language settings in Windows 10

To manage all aspects of the input and display language settings on your Windows 10 device, use the following methods.

To switch the keyboard layout you’re using in Windows 10, press and hold the Windows key and then repeatedly press the Spacebar to cycle through all your installed keyboards. (If this doesn’t do anything, it means you have only one installed.)

You can also select the language abbreviation on the far right of the taskbar and then choose the language or input method you want to use.

Note: In the input field, press Windows +period (.) to access the emoji keyboard, if your language supports this.

If you can’t find the keyboard layout you want, you may have to add a new keyboard.

Adding an input language lets you set a language-preference order for websites and apps, as well as change your keyboard language.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.

Under Preferred languages, select the language that contains the keyboard you want, and then select Options.

Select Add a keyboard and choose the keyboard you want to add. If you don’t see the keyboard you want, you may have to add a new language to get additional options. If this is the case, go on to step 4.

Return to the Language settings page, and select Add a language.

Choose the language you want to use from the list, and then select Next.

Review any language features you want to set up or install, and select Install.

The display language you select changes the default language used by Windows features like Settings and File Explorer.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.

Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.

If a language is listed under Preferred languages but doesn’t appear on the Windows display language list, you’ll first need to install its language pack (if it’s available).

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.

Choose a language from the Add a language list under Preferred languages, and then select Options.

Select Download from the Download language pack option.

After the language pack is installed, select Back .

Choose a language from the Windows display language menu.

If you receive an «Only one language pack allowed» or «Your Windows license supports only one display language» message, you have a single language edition of Windows 10. Here’s how to check your Windows 10 language edition:

Select the Start button, select Settings > About, and then scroll down to the Windows specification section.

If you see Windows 10 Home Single Language next to Edition, you have a single language edition of Window 10, and you can’t add a new language unless you purchase an upgrade to either Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.

Select the Start button, then select Settings > Time & Language > Language.

Under Preferred languages, select the language you want to remove, and then click Remove.

To remove an individual keyboard, select the language in question (see step 2), select Options, scroll down to the Keyboards section, select the keyboard you want to remove, and click Remove.

How to change system language on Windows 10

Source: Windows Central

On Windows 10, the initial setup process offers you the option to set the default language. However, if you made a mistake or using a device already configured, you don’t have to struggle with the incorrect settings when your requirements are different.

If you have to change your device’s language settings, you can complete this task using the Settings app without reinstalling Windows 10.

In this Windows 10 guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to change your device’s system default language.

How to change default system language on Windows 10

If you’re using a computer with the incorrect language configuration, it’s unnecessary to reinstall Windows 10. You only need to adjust a few settings to set the appropriate language.

Disable language sync

On Windows 10 configured with a Microsoft account, the language preferences will sync across devices. In the case that you only need the settings on one computer, it’s recommended to disable the option to sync the language settings before making any changes to prevent the new configuration from overwriting the settings on your other devices.

To stop syncing the language preferences on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Accounts.
3. Click on Sync your settings.

Under the «Individual sync settings» section, turn off the Language preferences toggle switch.

Source: Windows Central

Once you complete the steps, you can change the language settings without affecting your other devices.

Change language settings

To change the system default language, close running applications, and use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Time & Language.
3. Click on Language.

Under the «Preferred languages» section, click the Add a language button.

Source: Windows Central

Select the language package from the result.

Source: Windows Central

Check the Set as my display language option.

Source: Windows Central

Click the Yes, sign out now button.

Source: Windows Central

After you complete the steps, the display language will change across the entire Windows 10 experience, including the Sign-in screen, Settings app, File Explorer, Desktop, apps, browser, and websites you visit. Depending on your new settings, Windows 10 may prompt you to review your privacy settings again.

Change region settings

In the case that you are adjusting the Windows 10 language because you’re now in a different region, you’ll also need to change the region settings.

To change the local region settings on Windows 10, use these steps:

1. Open Settings.
2. Click on Time & Language.
3. Click on Region.

Use the «Country or region» drop-down menu to select the current location (if applicable).

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Related settings» section, click the Administrative language settings option on the right side.

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Language for non-Unicode programs» section, click the Change system locale button.

Source: Windows Central

Select the new system local by specifying the new language.

Source: Windows Central

In the «Administrative» tab, click the Copy settings button.

Source: Windows Central

Under the «Copy your current settings to» section, check the Welcome screen and system accounts and New user accounts options.

Source: Windows Central

Click the OK button.

Click the OK button again.

Click the Restart now button.

Once you complete the steps, the computer will now use the correct region settings.

Typically, users never have to worry about changing or installing additional languages. However, the ability to change language-related settings may come in handy for organizations working with people that need to use different preferences. It’s also a useful feature to match the local settings if you relocate to another region or when buying a new device that ships from a different country.

The only caveat about changing the region settings is that you may lose access to Cortana, and the Microsoft Store may show different contents depending on the region you specified.

More Windows 10 resources

For more helpful articles, coverage, and answers to common questions about Windows 10, visit the following resources:

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How to Change System Language in Windows 10

You can change the default display language of your Windows 10 from English to any other language. This is useful in scenarios where multiple users are accessing the same system and they understand different languages.

In this guide, I will walk through to change the default English language to Urdu (you can change it to German etc. :))

Change System Language in Windows 10

Step 1. Press Windows key + I on the keyboard to open the settings window.

Step 2. Click Time and language.

Step 3. Click Region and Language.

Step 4. Click Add a language.

Step 5. Select your desired language and its variation (if applicable) by clicking on the language name.

Step 6. Select the new language and click Options.

Step 7. Download the language pack.

Step 8. Select the new language and click Set as default.

Step 9. Your new language will be displayed after next sign-in (See below screen shot).

Step 10. Press Windows key + X from keyboard, scroll the power menu and click Control Panel.

Step 11. Click Add a language.

Step 12. Click Advanced settings in left pane.

Step 13. Click «Apply language settings to the Welcome screen, system accounts, and new user accounts.».

Step 14. Open Administrative tab and click Copy settings.

Step 15. Check both «Welcome screen and system accounts» and «New user accounts» options. Click OK.

Step 16. Click Restart now and let your system reboot so changes may take effect.

When the system reboots successfully, everything will be displayed in the new language.