How to Add or Remove Languages in Windows 8 and 8.1
Information
This tutorial will show you how to add or remove multiple languages to only your user account in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.
By adding multiple languages to your account you can:
By adding multiple languages to your account you can:
- Choose a language that you want to have for your user account's display language.
- Switch between input methods (IME) for the keyboard layout of a added language you want to use to type.
Tip
OPTION ONE
To Add or Remove Languages using Control Panel
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for how you would like to open Language settings.
2. Click/tap on the input indicator system icon in the notification area on the taskbar, click/tap on Language preferences, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: The input indicator system icon will only be displayed if you had already previously added a language.
3. Open the Control Panel (icons view), click/tap on the Language icon, and go to step 4 below.
4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.
5. To Add a Language to your List
A) Click/tap on the Add a language button. (see screenshot below)
B) Either double tap (on touchscreen) or double click on a language that you would like to add to your list, or select the language and click/tap on either Open or Add. (see screenshots below)
Note
- You can group the languages to view by either Langauge name (default) or Writing system.
- You can also use the search box to search for languages.
- If a selected language has other regional variants available, then it will look grouped. You will see Open to use to be able to select and Add a specific regional variant of the langauage.
- If a selected language does not have other regional variants available, then it will look ungrouped. You will see Add.
C) If available, you may also wish to download and install the language pack, if you would like to change your display language to this language.
NOTE: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to install and uninstall language packs, but any user can change their display language if the language pack for a added language is already installed by the administrator.
D) Go to step 7 below.
6. To Remove a Language from your List
A) Select a language that you would like to remove from your list, click/tap on the Remove button, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
Note
You will not be able to remove your primary display language unless you set a different language as your primary display language first instead.
Note
Removing a language from your list does not uninstall it's language pack.
If you would like to also uninstall the language pack for this language, then you should uninstall it first before removing the language from your list.
NOTE: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to install and uninstall language packs.
7. Repeat step 5 or 6 above if you would like to add or remove any other languages.
8. When finished, you can close the Language window if you like.
OPTION TWO
To Add or Remove Languages using PC settings
1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what Windows 8 you have.
2. In Windows 8 and Windows RT, open PC settings, click/tap on General on the left side, click/tap on the Language Preferences link under Language on the right side, and go to step 4 in OPTION ONE above. (see screenshot below)
3. In Windows 8.1 and Windows RT 8.1, open PC settings, click/tap on Time & language on the left side, and go to step 4 below. (see screenshot below)
4. Click/tap on Region & language on the left side of "Time & language", and do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do. (see screenshot below)
5. To Add a Language to your List
A) On the right side under Languages, click/tap on + Add a language, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)
B) Click/tap on the language (ex: Spanish) that you want to add. (see screenshot below)
C) If available, click/tap on the regional language (ex: Mexico) of the language above that you want to add. (see screenshot below)
D) If available, you may also wish to download and install the language pack, if you would like to change your display language to this language.
NOTE: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to install and uninstall language packs, but any user can change their display language if the language pack for a added language is already installed by the administrator.
E) Go to step 7 below.
6. To Remove a Language from your List
A) On the right side under Languages, click/tap on an added language that you want to remove, click/tap on Remove, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshots below)
Note
You will not be able to remove your primary display language unless you set a different language as your primary display language first instead.
Note
Removing a language from your list does not uninstall it's language pack.
If you would like to also uninstall the language pack for this language, then you should uninstall it first before removing the language from your list.
NOTE: You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to install and uninstall language packs.
7. Repeat step 5 or 6 above if you would like to add or remove any other languages.
8. When finished, you can close PC settings if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
Related Tutorials
- How to Install and Uninstall Language Packs in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Change the "Windows Display Language" in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Add or Remove Input Methods for Keyboard Layout in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Set a Default Input Method or Keyboard Layout Language in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Turn the Desktop Language Bar On or Off in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Create a "Language Settings" Shortcut in Windows 8 and 8.1
- How to Copy Your Region and Language Settings to New Users and Welcome Screen
Attachments
Last edited: