How To Manage Display Language Packs In Windows 11 Language And Region Settings

Understanding 🪟 Windows 11 Language Packs

A Windows 11 language pack contains the translation files needed to change the text in your menus, windows, apps, and websites into a different language. When you install a full language pack, Windows updates your entire system display language and adds helpful tools like text-to-speech, voice typing, and matching keyboard layouts so you can easily read, write, and navigate your computer in your preferred language.

When you install a full language pack, Windows gives you several features:

• Display Language: Translates menus, buttons, and settings into your chosen language.
• Text-to-Speech and Speech Recognition: Allows your computer to speak to you or understand your spoken commands in that language.
• Handwriting Recognition: Helps Windows understand your handwriting if you use a digital pen.
• Basic Spelling and Grammar Check: Helps you write correctly in apps.

Keep in mind that some features require an active internet connection to download extra files after you add a language. Now, let us look at how to check what you currently have installed on your computer.

Check What Languages Are Installed in 🪟 Windows 11

You can check which languages are already installed on your computer by opening the Windows 11 Settings app ⚙️. Just click the Start button ⊞, open Settings, and select Time & language from the menu. This list shows you every language currently available on your PC so you can see if the one you want is already there before downloading ⬇️ anything new.

1. Click the Start button on your taskbar.
2. Type Settings and press Enter to open the Settings app. You can also press the Windows Key + I keyboard shortcut.
3. Click on Time & language in the left-hand menu.

   

4. Click on Language & region on the right side of the screen.

   

5. Look under the Preferred languages section. You will see a list of all languages currently installed on your system.

   

The language at the very top of the preferred languages list with a label that says "Windows display language" is your main Windows 11 system language. Any languages below the main language are installed for typing, apps, or websites, but those secondary languages do not control the main operating system menus yet.

How to Install a New Language Pack in 🪟 Windows 11

You can install a new language pack in Windows 11 by opening the Settings app and going to Time & language and then Language & region. From there, click the Add a language button under your preferred languages list, search for the language you want to use, select it, and follow the on-screen prompts to download and install the necessary system files over your internet connection.

1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.

   

2. Select Time & language from the menu.
3. Click on Language & region.
4. Under the Preferred languages section, click the Add a language button.
5. A new window will pop up showing a long list of available languages. You can scroll through the list or type the name of your language into the search box at the top.
6. Click on the language you want to install.
7. Click the Next button at the bottom of the window.
8. You will see a screen titled Install language features. Here, you can choose what extra features you want to download. Check the box next to Install language pack to change your display language. You can also select boxes for text-to-speech or speech recognition if you need them.
9. Make sure the box that says Set as my Windows display language is checked if you want your whole computer to switch to this new language immediately.
10. Click the Install button.

Windows will download the necessary files from the internet. You can watch the progress next to the language name in your list. Once the download finishes, the language is ready to use.

Change the Windows Display Language

You can change your Windows 11 display language at any time by opening the Settings app and going to Time & language > Language & region. Find the Windows display language dropdown menu near the top of the screen and pick the language you want to use for all your system menus, buttons, and notifications.

1. Open the Settings app (Windows Key + I).
2. Go to Time & language and then click Language & region.

   

3. Find the Windows display language dropdown menu near the top of the page.
4. Click the dropdown menu and select the language you want to use from the list of installed languages.
5. Windows will display a notification telling you that you need to sign out and sign back in for the change to take full effect. Click the Sign out button.

Log back into your user account. Your computer will now display menus and settings in your newly chosen language.

Change the Language Used by Microsoft Store Apps and Websites

You can change the language order for Microsoft Store apps and websites in Windows 11 by adjusting your preferred language priority list. Windows checks this list from top to bottom, so if an app does not support your first choice, it automatically switches to the next language on your list.

To change the order of your languages:

1. Open Settings and navigate to Time & language > Language & region.
2. Find your language under the Preferred languages section.
3. Click the three dots (...) next to the language name.
4. Click Move up to move the language higher in your priority list, or Move down to lower its priority.

Windows 11 apps and websites check your preferred language list from top to bottom. Windows 11 apps and websites will always use the highest language on your list that the apps and websites support.

Install Speech and Handwriting Features

You can add speech and handwriting features to any language in Windows 11 by opening your language options in the Settings app. Simply go to Time & language > Language & region, click the three dots next to your chosen language, and select language options to download extra features like text-to-speech, voice typing, and handwriting recognition.

1. Open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region.
2. Find the language you want to update in your Preferred languages list.

   

3. Click the three dots (...) next to that language.
4. Click on Language options.
5. Scroll down to find sections for Speech, Handwriting, or other features. If a feature is not installed, you will see a button to download or install it. Click the install button and wait for the download to finish.

Once installed, you can use voice commands and text-to-speech features smoothly in that language.

How to Add and Change Keyboard Layouts

You can add and change keyboard layouts in Windows 11 by going to Settings, selecting Time & language > Language & region, and clicking the three dots next to your preferred language. From the language options menu, you can add a new keyboard layout so your physical keys match the letters and symbols of the language you are typing in.

1. Open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region.
2. Find your language in the Preferred languages list, click the three dots (...), and select Language options.
3. Scroll down to the Keyboards section.
4. Click the Add a keyboard button.
5. Select the keyboard layout you want from the list.

To switch between different keyboard layouts while you are typing, press the Windows Key + Spacebar on your keyboard. A small menu will pop up on your screen allowing you to choose your active typing layout instantly.

Remove a Language Pack or Keyboard Layout

You can remove an unwanted language pack or keyboard layout in Windows 11 by opening the Settings app and going to Time & language > Language & region. Find the language you want to delete in your preferred languages list, click the three dots next to it, and select remove to free up storage space and clean up your menus.

1. Open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region.
2. Locate the language you want to remove in the Preferred languages list.

   

3. Click the three dots (...) next to that language name.
4. Click Remove from the menu.

To remove a specific keyboard layout without removing the whole language:

1. Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
2. Click the three dots (...) next to the language and choose Language options.
3. Find the keyboard under the Keyboards section, click the three dots next to it, and select Remove.

Display the Input Language Icon in the Taskbar

You can display the input language icon on your Windows 11 taskbar by opening the Settings app and going to Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings. Checking the box that enables the desktop language bar lets you easily see and switch between your active languages and keyboard layouts right from your taskbar.

1. Open Settings and click on Time & language > Typing.
2. Click on Advanced keyboard settings.
3. Check the box that says Use the desktop language bar when it's available.

Alternatively, you can press Windows Key + Spacebar anytime to see your active layout overlay on the screen.

Expert Tips for Managing 🪟 Windows 11 Languages

You can manage Windows 11 languages more effectively by knowing how to handle work computers and save storage space. Work or school computers often block new language downloads through system administrators, and deleting unused language packs helps free up valuable hard drive space on your PC.

• Language Packs on Corporate Computers: If you are using a work or school computer, your system administrator might block you from downloading new language packs. If you see greyed-out options, contact your IT department for help.
• Saving Hard Drive Space: Language packs take up storage space. If you installed a language just to try it out, make sure to remove it completely from your preferred languages list so it stops taking up space on your hard drive.
• Regional Formats vs. Display Language: You can keep your display language in English while changing your regional format (like date, time, and currency) to match another country. Go to Time & language > Language & region and look at the Regional format section to adjust this independently.

Summary

This guide covers everything you need to know about adding, changing, and removing display language packs, speech features, and keyboard layouts in Windows 11. You now know how to navigate the Settings app to check your preferred languages, switch your main system language, adjust app language priorities, and clean up extra files to save disk space.