Language - Add or Remove in Windows 8

How to Add or Remove Languages in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   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:
  • 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   Tip
For a list of all available language packs, see: Language packs - Microsoft Windows





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.​
input_indicator_icon.jpg
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)​
Language-2.jpg
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   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.

Language-3A.jpgLanguage-3B.jpg
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   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   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.

Language-Remove-1.jpg
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)​
General-reset.jpg
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)​
8.1_PC_settings_Language-1.jpg
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)​
8.1_PC_settings_Language-2.jpg
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)​
8.1_PC_settings_Add_Language-1.jpg
B) Click/tap on the language (ex: Spanish) that you want to add. (see screenshot below)​
8.1_PC_settings_Add_Language-2A.jpg
C) If available, click/tap on the regional language (ex: Mexico) of the language above that you want to add. (see screenshot below)​
8.1_PC_settings_Add_Language-2B.jpg
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   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   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.

8.1_PC_settings_Remove_Language-1.jpg
8.1_PC_settings_Remove_Language-2.jpg
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


 

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Last edited:
Hi there
This DOES NOT work in W8.1 for REMOVING the INPUT method - the REMOVE button is greyed out and there is no REGION and LANGUGE selection in the control panel - only REGION (one icon) and another separate one for Language so if you want to install languages TAKE CARE as you won't be able to get rid of the input method afterwards.

You can UNINSTALL the language as per tutorial but you can't get rid of the input method (keyboard) it seems.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

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My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
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    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Hello Brink, I have followed the steps in option 1 to try and add a language. I have sucessfully added the language, but I decided I didn't want it right after that. I have tried going back to the language section of the control panel but control panel froze so I restarted Windows Explorer and it close and I tried again. It still didn't work so I tried restarting. After that, the language icon in the taskbar was blank and I tried going back into the language section of control panel and it froze again. Then, I tried system restore and it did not work. I restarted and tried system restore again. It did the process and restarted but it said it was not successful. But now, the language icon in the taskbar worked again and I went to control panel and removed the new language. Good thing that this is a new computer that I am setting up and there was nothing I would lose if it had a problem and I can have it fixed by Dell for free with warranty. Now I am scared to add another language that a bigger problem would happen. But I will have to brave and add it one day when I actually need it when moving to Korea.

Long story short, do you know any reasons this would happen?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
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Hey Computer0304,

Since this is an OEM (Dell) computer, I would say that it could be an issue caused by a 3rd party AV or firewall program that came preinstalled with the computer. If so, uninstall it to see if you still have this issue afterwards. Be sure to create a restore point first though, to make it easier to undo later if needed. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
It is most likely McAfee LiveSafe that came with it that is causing this. I plan on removing it. Also, how did you know it was a Dell PC? (Just wondering)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
My alien ESP. Dell does make Alienware after all. ;)

Nar, you posted, "....I can have it fixed by Dell for free with warranty...".
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Oh, I forgot LOL.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 400/Toshiba Satellite T135
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad/Intel Pentium
    Memory
    2GB/4GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel G33/G31 Express
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11/Safari 5/Mozilla Firefox 20
    Antivirus
    AVG Anti-Virus Free
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