How to Change the Language in Windows 11

If you purchase a laptop in the United States but need to use it entirely in Spanish, or if you share a computer with a family member who speaks a different primary language, you can completely overhaul the Windows 11 user interface.

It is important to understand that Windows 11 actually has two distinct language settings that operate independently of each other: the Display Language (the language used for menus, error messages, and the Start Menu) and the Keyboard Layout (the physical letters that appear on the screen when you press a key on your hardware keyboard). You can change one without changing the other.

How to Change the Windows Display Language

Changing the display language will translate the entire operating system, including the Settings app, File Explorer, and built-in Windows applications.

1. Click the Start Menu (the Windows icon on your taskbar).
2. Click the gear icon to open the Settings app.
3. In the left-hand navigation sidebar, click on Time & language.
4. In the main window, click on Language & region.
5. Look for the section labeled Preferred languages. If the language you want to use is not already listed there, you must download it.
6. Click the Add a language button.
7. A massive list of global languages will appear. Use the search bar to find the specific language and regional dialect you need (e.g., “Spanish (Mexico)” vs. “Spanish (Spain)”).
8. Click the language, then click Next.
9. Crucial Step: Ensure the checkbox labeled Set as my Windows display language is checked. Then click Install.

Windows will connect to Microsoft’s servers and download the language pack. This may take a few minutes. Once it is finished, you must Sign out of your Windows account and sign back in for the changes to fully apply across the entire operating system.

How to Change the Keyboard Layout (Typing in a Different Language)

If you only need to type a quick email in French (which requires specific accents like é and à) but you want the rest of your computer to remain in English, you do not need to change the Display Language. You only need to add a keyboard layout.

1. Go back to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.
2. Look at the list under Preferred languages. Find your current primary language (e.g., English) and click the three horizontal dots next to it.
3. Click Language options.
4. Scroll down to the Keyboards section.
5. Click Add a keyboard.
6. Select the specific keyboard layout you need from the list (e.g., “French (AZERTY)” or “United States-International”).

How to Quickly Swap Between Keyboards

Once you have installed multiple keyboard layouts, you do not need to constantly open the Settings app to switch between them. Windows places a fast-swap tool directly on your taskbar.

1. Look at the extreme bottom right corner of your screen (next to the clock and the Wi-Fi icon).
2. You will see a tiny three-letter abbreviation of your current language (e.g., ENG for English).
3. Click those three letters.
4. A small pop-up menu will appear listing all of your installed keyboards. Click the one you want to use.

The Power User Trick: You can instantly cycle through your installed keyboards without using the mouse by holding down the Windows Key and pressing the Spacebar.