Windows 11 · Windows
Change the display language in Windows 11
Source-checked About 10 minutes
Answer
In Windows 11, install the required language pack under Settings > Time & language > Language & region, select it under Windows display language, then sign out and back in. Check the keyboard layout at sign-in because it can change with the display language.
Save work and note the current input layout
Changing the display language requires signing out. Save open documents, then note the keyboard layout shown on the taskbar so you can select the correct layout when entering your password after the change.
Open Windows language settings
Select Start > Settings > Time & language > Language & region. Under Preferred languages, first check whether the language you want is already installed on this Windows account.
Install the required language pack
If the language is missing, select Add a language, search for and select it, then choose Next. Keep Language pack selected, choose Install, and wait until the download and installation finish.
Select the Windows display language
Return to Language & region and choose the installed language from the Windows display language menu. This changes Windows interface elements such as Settings and File Explorer, not merely the typing layout.
Sign out to apply the change
Choose Yes, sign out now when Windows prompts you. If no prompt appears, right-click Start and select Shut down or sign out > Sign out; restarting individual apps is not enough to apply the full interface change.
Sign in with the correct keyboard layout
On the sign-in screen, inspect the input-language indicator before typing the password. If the layout changed, select the familiar keyboard layout there, then sign in and reopen Settings to confirm the display language.
Check Windows and app language separately
Confirm that Settings and File Explorer use the selected language. Some apps have their own language controls, while Microsoft Store apps and websites follow the first supported language in Preferred languages.
Video walkthrough
If it does not work
- If the language does not appear in the Windows display language menu, return to Language & region and confirm that its Language pack finished installing. A keyboard layout by itself cannot change the Windows interface language.
- If Windows reports that only one language pack is allowed, the installed Windows edition may be a Single Language edition. Do not download unofficial packs; check Settings > System > About and use Microsoft's supported edition or licensing path.
Sources and verification
Checked against official documentation on . Scope: Windows.
Follow the linked first-party guidance if labels differ after a platform or app update.