How to Change System Locale in Windows 11

Checking Your Current System Locale

Before you change anything, it's smart to see what your computer is set to right now. This way, you know your starting point.

Method 1Using the Control Panel

The Control Panel is the most common and recommended way to change your system locale in Windows 11. This method lets you select a new language for older programs that don't support modern Unicode text, ensuring they display correctly after you make the change.

• Type "Control Panel" in the Windows search bar and click on the result.
• If you see options like "System and Security" or "Clock and Region," click on "Clock and Region." If you see small or large icons, find and click on "Region."
• Click on the "Region" option. A new window will open with your current regional settings.
• Look for a tab at the top called "Administrative" and click it.
• Under the section "Language for non-Unicode programs," you will see the name of your current system locale. This is what your computer is using for older apps.

If you see a language in the Windows Region settings that you do not recognize or that does not seem right for the programs you are trying to use, you might need to change the language setting.

Method 2Using Command Prompt

Checking your system locale in Windows 11 with Command Prompt is a quick text-based method. By typing a simple command, you can instantly see the current language setting for non-Unicode programs on your computer without opening multiple windows.

• Type "cmd" in the Windows search bar and press Enter. You can also right-click and choose "Run as administrator" if you plan to make changes later.
• In the Command Prompt window, type the following command exactly and press Enter:
  
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  systeminfo | findstr /B /C:"System Locale"

• The output will display your current "System Locale."

Method 3Using PowerShell

PowerShell offers a very fast way to check your system locale in Windows 11, especially if you like using commands. Running a single command in PowerShell will immediately display the current language code your system uses for older applications.

• Type "PowerShell" in the Windows search bar. Right-click on "Windows PowerShell" and select "Run as administrator" for the best results.
• Type the following command and press Enter:
  
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  Get-WinSystemLocale

• PowerShell will immediately show you your current system locale. It might look something like "en-US" or "de-DE."

Good to know: Changing the system locale can also change how dates, times, and money amounts are shown to match the region you pick.

Changing Your System Locale in 🪟 Windows 11

To change your Windows 11 system locale, you will likely need administrator permission. This setting controls the language your programs use for non-Unicode data.

Method 1Using the Control Panel

This is the most common and recommended way for most people.

• Follow steps 1-4 from "Checking Your Current System Locale" (Method 1) to get to the "Administrative" tab of the Region window.
• Under the "Language for non-Unicode programs" section, click the button that says "Change system locale..."
• A new window will appear. Click the dropdown menu and choose the language that matches the older programs you need to run. For example, if you have an old German program, choose German.
• Click "OK" on the "Region Settings" window. Windows will likely tell you that you need to restart your computer for the changes to work fully. Save anything you are working on and restart your PC.

Method 2Using Command Prompt for Quick Access

You can quickly open the correct settings window to change your system locale in Windows 11 using a Command Prompt command. This shortcut bypasses several steps, taking you straight to the option where you can select a new language for non-Unicode programs.

• Search for "cmd," right-click, and select "Run as administrator."
• Type the following command and press Enter:
  

  The `control.exe intl.cpl,,8` command skips several steps and opens the "Administrative" tab of the Region settings window directly, allowing you to change your system locale faster.

  Method 3Using PowerShell with a Specific Command

  PowerShell provides a direct command to change the system locale in Windows 11, which is useful for automation or scripting. You can specify the exact language code you want to use for non-Unicode programs, making it a powerful option for technical users.

  • Search for "PowerShell," right-click, and select "Run as administrator."
  • You need to tell PowerShell which locale you want to use. Replace <LocaleName> with the correct language code. Here are some examples:
    • For English (United States): en-US
    • For German (Germany): de-DE
    • For Japanese (Japan): ja-JP
    • For French (France): fr-FR
  • The command will look like this:
    
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    Set-WinSystemLocale -SystemLocale <LocaleName>

  • For example, to set it to German, type:
    
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    Set-WinSystemLocale -SystemLocale de-DE

  • After typing your command, press Enter. You might be asked to install extra language features. Once the command is done, restart your computer to apply the changes.

Summary

Changing the system locale in Windows 11 is important for making older programs display text correctly. You can check your current locale using the Control Panel, Command Prompt, or PowerShell. To change it, you typically go to the 'Administrative' tab in Region settings, select a new language for non-Unicode programs, and then restart your computer.