How to Change Windows Terminal Language in Windows 11
Windows Terminal changes the display language for command-line tools like PowerShell and Command Prompt without altering your main Windows 11 PC settings. Windows Terminal is the built-in Microsoft app that brings multiple command environments together into a single tabbed window.
You can override the default system language in less than a minute by editing a settings file. This manual language change works on Windows 11 version 21H2 and newer releases.
Change the Windows Terminal language by opening Settings, navigating to the Appearance tab, selecting your preferred language from the dropdown, saving, and restarting the application. This setting overrides the system’s default language for Terminal only.
What is Windows Terminal?
Windows Terminal is a modern app in Windows 11 that combines command-line tools like Command Prompt, PowerShell, and WSL into a single window. It lets you run multiple command-line apps in tabs and custom panes. You can change your Windows Terminal language independently from the rest of your system to match your preferred language for running commands and scripts.
Windows Terminal surpasses older command-line apps with expanded features. Multiple tabs open simultaneously, window panes split into sections, and the app supports over 1,000 different symbols. Terminal colors and backgrounds also adapt to match personal style preferences.
Why Does Windows Terminal Use a Certain Language?
By default, Terminal inherits whatever display language your PC uses. Override this behavior when you want a different language for your command line without touching system-wide settings.
How to Change the Language in Windows Terminal
Step 1Open Windows Terminal
Press the Win, type Terminal into the search bar, and select the app from the results.
Step 2Open the Settings
Once Terminal opens, look at the top title bar. Click the small down arrow ▼ button next to the tabs and select Settings. Alternatively, press the Ctrl + , (comma) key combination on the keyboard.
Step 3Change the Language
The Settings window houses an Appearance tab on the left sidebar. Locate the option labeled Language (requires relaunch). Selecting it reveals a list of available languages for the interface.
Step 4Save and Restart
Click the Save button at the bottom of the window to apply the changes. Close Windows Terminal completely and relaunch it. Close and reopen Windows Terminal to apply the new language.
Summary
- Windows Terminal is a modern app for command-line tools in Windows 11.
- It uses your Windows system language by default, but you can set a different language inside the app itself.
- Changing the language is simple: open Terminal, go to Settings Appearance, pick a new language, save, and restart Terminal.
Windows Terminal uses your main system language by default, but you can set a different language just for this app. To change your Windows Terminal language, open the app, go to Settings, choose Appearance, pick your preferred language from the list, and save your changes. Restart the app to see the new language take effect across all your menus and tabs.
- How to Open Command Prompt in Windows 11
- How to Open PowerShell in Windows 11
- How to Install Linux on Windows 11 (WSL)
- How to Change Windows 11 Display Language
Readers with questions about changing the Windows Terminal language in Windows 11 can leave a comment below the article. Community feedback helps shape future tutorials.
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About the Author
Richard
Tech Writer, IT Professional
Richard is a writer at Geek Rewind who turns complex IT tasks into clear, step-by-step guides. He draws on years of hands-on experience in system administration and enterprise IT operations, focusing on Windows, Linux and WordPress: the problems people actually run into, and the fixes that work. His server and WordPress guides come from systems he runs himself. Richard builds and maintains the platform behind Geek Rewind, from its Ubuntu servers and Nginx configuration to its custom WordPress plugins. Many new tutorials start with readers' questions, and he's always glad to answer them in the comments.
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