Switching between languages on your computer can be extremely beneficial, particularly for bilingual individuals, travelers, and anyone who wants to expand their language skills. Adding and switching languages in Windows 11 is straightforward. Here is how to add a second language in Windows 11.
Windows 11 offers an easy way to manage multiple languages, making it simple to add and switch between different languages. To add or manage language settings, open the Language & region section in the Settings app.
Open Language & region in Settings
- Left-click on the Start
button to bring up the Start menu.
- In the list of pinned apps on the Start menu, left-click on Settings (gear icon).
- In the left-hand column, left-click on Time & language.
- In the right-hand column, left-click on Language & region.
This section allows you to view your current language settings and make adjustments as needed. Here, you’ll see your primary language listed, along with options to manage languages for menus, apps, and websites.
Add a second language
To add a second language, locate the Preferred languages section and click on the Add a language button. A new window will open, showing a list of available languages for installation. You can either scroll through the list or use the search bar at the top to find the specific language you want to add.
Select and install your language
Once you’ve found the desired language, click on it, and then click the Next button. You might see a list of optional language features such as language packs, text-to-speech, enhanced speech recognition, and handwriting. Select any additional features you wish to install alongside your new language.
On the Install language features window, make sure the box is checked in front of Language pack if you want the full language experience, including translated menus and settings.
After selecting the desired options, click Install. Windows 11 will begin downloading and installing the language pack, which may take a few moments depending on the package size and your internet connection speed.
Set your language preferences
Once the installation completes, the new language will appear in your Preferred languages list. If you want to set the second language as your display language, select it from the Windows display language pull-down menu. If you want to change the order of preference, click on the three (3) horizontal dots next to the newly added language and select Move up.
If your second language requires a different keyboard layout, you can set this up easily. In the Language & region settings, click on the three (3) horizontal dots next to the newly added language and select Language options. Under Keyboards, click on Add a keyboard and select the appropriate keyboard layout that corresponds to the language. You can add as many keyboard layouts as needed for the language you’ve chosen.
Switching between languages
After adding your second language, the next step is to familiarize yourself with switching between the languages. Windows 11 allows you to switch between input languages quickly using keyboard shortcuts. You can press the Windows logo key + Spacebar to toggle between your installed languages. Alternatively, if you’ve added multiple keyboard layouts for the same language, you can switch by pressing Alt + Shift.
Also, Windows 11 lets you set specific regional formats for dates, times, and currency that align with your second language. Still within Language & region settings, look for the Regional format section to choose how data is presented based on the language preference.
Adding a second language in Windows 11 is a straightforward process that can significantly enhance your computing experience. Whether it’s for work, travel, or personal enrichment, being able to navigate your computer in multiple languages opens up a world of opportunities. By following the above steps, you can not only broaden your skill set but also enjoy the benefits of multilingual capabilities directly on your device.