How To Change The Language In Windows 11

Changing the language in Windows 11 is a straightforward process, whether you want to switch to a new display language or install an additional one for apps and keyboard input. Here's a detailed guide on how to change the language in Windows 11, broken down into several steps. This will cover everything from setting a new display language to changing the system locale and adding keyboard layouts.

Why Change Language in Windows 11?

There are several reasons you might want to change the language in Windows 11:

1.Personal Preference: You may prefer using a language other than the default one installed.

2.Multilingual Users: If you're proficient in multiple languages, you might want to switch between them for convenience.

3.International Compatibility: If you purchase a device from another region, the system might come pre-configured in a language different from the one you need.

4.Working in Multiple Languages: Some people use their computers in different languages, depending on the task or environment.

Now, let’s dive into how you can change the language settings in Windows 11.

1. Install a New Language in Windows 11

Before switching the display language, you need to install the desired language pack. Here's how to do it:

Step 1: Access the Settings Menu

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings menu.

2. Alternatively, click the Start button and choose Settings from the list of options.

Step 2: Navigate to Time & Language

1. In the Settings window, click on Time & language from the left-hand panel.

2. Select Language & region from the right side of the screen.

Step 3: Add a New Language

1. Under the Preferred languages section, click the Add a language button (the plus sign).

2. A new window will appear, showing a list of available languages. Use the search bar or scroll through the list to find the language you want to add.

3. Click on the language you want, then click Next.

Step 4: Install the Language Pack

1. On the next screen, you’ll see options for what you want to install along with the language. The options might include:

•    Set as my Windows display language* (This will change the entire interface of Windows into this language).
•    Language pack (This will install the necessary files to change the system language).
•    Speech (This allows you to use voice recognition in this language).
•    Text-to-speech (This adds text-to-speech functionality).
•    Handwriting (Enables handwriting recognition if supported).

2. Select the options you need, and click Install.

Windows will now download and install the language pack. Depending on the size of the language pack and your internet speed, this may take a few minutes.

2. Set the Display Language in Windows 11

After installing the new language pack, you can set it as the display language, which changes the language for menus, settings, and most of the user interface.

Step 1: Open Language & Region Settings

1. Go back to Settings and navigate to Time & language > Language & region.

Step 2: Change the Display Language

1. Under the Windows display language section, click the dropdown menu and select the language you just installed.

2. You will be prompted to sign out for the changes to take effect. Save your work and sign out when ready.

Once you sign back in, the interface should now be in the language you selected.

3. Change Keyboard Input Language in Windows 11

Changing the display language doesn't automatically switch the keyboard layout. If you need to type in another language, you must add the keyboard input for that language.

Step 1: Go to Language & Region Settings

1. Open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region.

Step 2: Add a Keyboard

1. Scroll down to the Preferred languages section.

2. Click on the language you want to add a keyboard for, and then click the … (three dots) next to it.

3. Select Language options.

Step 3: Add a New Keyboard

1. In the Keyboards section, click **Add a keyboard.

2. Select the desired keyboard layout from the list.

Once the keyboard layout is installed, you can switch between keyboard layouts by pressing Windows key + Spacebar or by clicking on the language icon in the taskbar and selecting the layout from there.

4. Change the System Locale in Windows 11

Changing the system locale affects the language used in non-Unicode programs and can be helpful if you're running software that only works in a specific language.

Step 1: Open Region Settings

1. Press the Windows key and type Control Panel.

2. Open the Control Panel and select Clock and Region.

3. Under Region, click Administrative.

Step 2: Change the System Locale

1. In the Administrative tab, click on Change system locale….

2. Select the language you want from the dropdown menu and click OK.

3. You’ll need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

This will not affect the display language but will help in running non-Unicode programs in the specified language.

5. Change the Language for Specific Apps in Windows 11

Some apps, such as Microsoft Office, allow you to change the language within the app itself without affecting the system-wide language settings.

For Microsoft Office

1. Open any Office application (e.g., Word, Excel).

2. Go to File > Options > Language.

3. Under Office display language, select the language you want to use.

You might need to install a language pack for Office separately if it’s not already installed.

6. Switching Between Installed Languages

Once you've added multiple languages, switching between them is easy.

Method 1: Using the Language Bar

1. In the taskbar, there should be a language icon (usually showing the abbreviation of the current language, such as ENG for English).

2. Click on the icon to see a list of installed languages and select the one you want to use.

Method 2: Keyboard Shortcut

1. Press Windows key + Spacebar to quickly toggle between the different input languages.

7. Set Language Preferences for Websites and Apps

You can also set your language preferences for websites and apps through the Language settings.

Step 1: Open Language Settings

1. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

Step 2: Set Language Preferences

1. In the Preferred languages section, reorder the languages by dragging them up or down.

2. The language at the top of the list will be your default language for websites and apps that support language detection.

Conclusion

Changing the language in Windows 11 is an important feature that helps users customize their experience according to their preferences. Whether it's for typing, the display language, or setting preferences for apps and websites, Windows 11 offers robust multilingual support. Following the steps outlined above, you can easily change the language settings in your system and enjoy a personalized computing experience. 

Make sure to also check specific apps if they have independent language settings, and remember that changing the language might not affect all third-party applications. Each application may need to be configured separately, depending on its design and functionality.