This guide covers a Windows 11 display language (menus, Settings, File Explorer) that refuses to change: language missing from the list, a licence message, a change that doesn't apply, or an interface partly left in the old language. According to Microsoft, the main causes are a single-language edition of Windows, a language pack that isn't installed, a sign-out not done after the change, or a language that is not fully localized.
This topic doesn't cover a keyboard typing the wrong characters: for that, see The keyboard types the wrong characters (QWERTY instead of AZERTY) (French guide).
Problem
- The language you want doesn't appear in the Windows display language menu.
- Message "Only one language pack allowed" or "Your Windows license supports only one display language".
- The new language is selected, but Windows stays in the old one.
- Part of Windows, the sign-in screen or Microsoft Store apps stay in another language.
Before you start
- Save your work and close your apps: changing the language requires a sign-out.
- Make sure the PC is connected to the Internet: language packs are downloaded.
- Step 5 requires an administrator account.
| Observation | What to check |
|---|---|
| Licence message or "only one language pack" | Step 1 |
| Language missing from the drop-down menu | Step 2 |
| Language selected but nothing changes | Step 3 |
| Only some parts stay in the old language | Step 4 |
| Sign-in screen or new accounts in the old language | Step 5 |
Step 1: check that your edition supports several languages
When to use it: if one of the two licence messages appears, or if the Add a language button leads nowhere.
Suggested solution
- Open Settings > System > About.
- Look at the Edition line under Windows specifications.
- If it says Windows 11 Home Single Language, Microsoft states that only one language is supported and that other languages can't be installed.
- To add a language, the edition must be upgraded to Windows 11 Home or Windows 11 Pro (buying a licence through the Microsoft Store or entering a product key).
Expected result: you know whether your edition allows the change. If the edition isn't single-language, go to step 2.
Step 2: install the language pack
When to use it: if the language you want doesn't appear in the Windows display language menu. It must be installed first.
Suggested solution
- Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
- Next to Preferred languages, click Add a language.
- Search for the language, select it, then click Next.
- Check that Language pack is ticked in the optional features, then tick Set as my Windows display language.
- Click Install and wait for the download to finish, shown in the language list.
Expected result: the language appears in the list and in the Windows display language menu.
Step 3: sign out to apply the language
When to use it: if the language is selected but the interface hasn't changed.
Suggested solution
- In Language & region, check the language chosen next to Windows display language.
- The message "Windows needs to sign you out in order to apply your new display language" appears: click Sign out.
- If there's no button, right-click Start > Shut down or sign out > Sign out.
- Sign back in to your session.
Expected result: Settings, File Explorer and menus are displayed in the new language.
Warning: Microsoft notes that the keyboard layout may change with the display language. On the sign-in screen, check the active layout (language icon) and use the eye icon in the password field to check what you type.
Step 4: fix the order of preferred languages
When to use it: if some Microsoft Store apps or some Windows elements stay in another language.
Suggested solution
- In Language & region, look at the Preferred languages list.
- Drag the language you want to the top of the list: the first supported language in this list determines the language of Microsoft Store apps and websites.
- If your language is not fully localized, Microsoft states that some elements are displayed in the first fully localized language in the list. Place the fallback language you prefer just below it.
- Sign out, then sign back in.
Expected result: Store apps follow the language at the top of the list. Elements not translated by Microsoft are displayed in the fallback language you chose.
Step 5: apply the language to the sign-in screen and new accounts
When to use it: if your session is in the right language but the welcome screen, system accounts or new accounts stay in the old one.
Suggested solution
- Sign in with the account whose language settings are correct.
- Open Terminal (Admin).
- Run the command documented by Microsoft, which copies the display language, input language, regional format and location to the welcome screen and new accounts:
Copy-UserInternationalSettingsToSystem -WelcomeScreen $True -NewUser $True
- Restart the PC.
Expected result: the sign-in screen is displayed in the new language, and accounts created afterwards use it by default.
Special cases
- Work PC or PC managed by an organization: if the language settings are greyed out, they may be enforced by your IT department. Contact them rather than trying to bypass them.
- The language pack download fails: check the Internet connection. On a limited network (mobile hotspot, metered connection), try again on another network.
- Going back to the old language: select it again in Windows display language, then sign out. Once the unneeded language is no longer used for display, you can remove it with … > Remove in the preferred languages list.
Final check
- ☐ The Windows edition is not Home Single Language (or has been upgraded).
- ☐ The language you want is installed with its language pack.
- ☐ You signed out after the change.
- ☐ The language you want is at the top of preferred languages.
- ☐ The sign-in screen is in the right language (if needed).
Sources
- Microsoft Support: Manage the input and display language settings in Windows
- Microsoft Support: Check whether a version of Windows supports multiple languages
- Microsoft Learn: Copy-UserInternationalSettingsToSystem
Still can't change the language?
Reply to this topic with:
- The Windows edition and version shown in Settings > System > About.
- The language you want to install and the one currently displayed.
- The exact message shown, if any.
- Your list of preferred languages, in order.
- Whether the PC is personal or managed by a company or school.