How to Add or Remove Language Packs in Windows 11

Windows 11 is designed to be a global operating system, offering support for dozens of languages and regional preferences. Whether you’re multilingual, learning a new language, or setting up a shared PC, Windows makes it incredibly easy to switch between languages — or even change the entire system interface with a couple of clicks.

If you’re reading this guide, you’re probably looking to add a new language pack, remove an old one, install display language support, or modify your keyboard layout. The good news is that Windows 11 provides multiple options to manage language packs, including regional formats, speech recognition, handwriting, and typing.

In this detailed walkthrough, we’ll show you exactly how to add, remove, and customize language packs in Windows 11. So let’s get started!

Understanding Language Packs in Windows 11

Windows 11 divides language features into several categories:

Display Language – Changes the entire UI (menus, dialogs, settings)
Keyboard Layout – Adds keyboard input for that language
Basic Typing – Spell check & predictive text
Handwriting – Handwritten input support
Speech – Voice typing & speech recognition

When you install a language pack, you can choose which of these features to download based on your needs.

How to Add Language Packs in Windows 11

Adding a new language pack is straightforward and only takes a few clicks.

1. Open the Settings App

Press Windows + I.
Navigate to Time & language in the left menu.
Click Language & region.

This is where all your language settings are stored.

2. Add a New Language

Under Preferred languages, click the Add a language button.
A search window will appear.
Type the language name (e.g., Spanish, French, Hindi, Japanese).
Select your language from the list.
Click Next.

Windows will now show available language features such as:

Display language
Text-to-speech
Speech recognition
Basic typing
Typing handwrite support

3. Choose the Language Features You Want

Tick the boxes for the features you need. For example:

If you want Windows menus in another language → enable Set as my Windows display language.
If you only need keyboard input → enable Basic Typing.
If you’re learning to write → enable Handwriting.

Click Install to begin downloading the language pack.

Windows may take a few minutes depending on the language size and your internet speed.

4. Switch the Windows Display Language (Optional)

If you chose not to change the display language during installation, you can do it anytime.

Go to Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
Under Windows display language, choose the language from the dropdown menu.
Sign out of Windows to fully apply changes.

Your taskbar, Start menu, Windows apps, and system dialogs will now appear in the selected language.

How to Add a Keyboard Layout in Windows 11

Keyboard layouts are useful if you want to type in another language without changing the whole system.

Open Settings.
Go to Time & language → Language & region.
Under your preferred language, click the three dots on the right.
Select Language options.
Under Keyboards, click Add a keyboard.
Select the keyboard layout you want (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, IME layouts, etc.).

You can switch keyboards anytime using:

Windows + Spacebar

Or from the taskbar input indicator.

How to Remove a Language Pack in Windows 11

If you no longer need a specific language pack, removing it frees up storage and declutters your UI.

1. Open Language Settings

Press Windows + I.
Go to Time & language → Language & region.

2. Remove the Language Pack

Under Preferred languages, find the language you want to remove.
Click the three dots next to it.
Choose Remove.

Windows will uninstall the language pack and all associated features.

If the Remove Button Is Grayed Out:

This happens if the language is set as:

The Windows display language
Your system default language
The default language for apps or keyboard

To fix:

Change your display language back to English (or another language).
Sign out and sign back in.
Now try removing the unwanted language.

How to Remove Additional Language Features (Typing, Speech, Handwriting)

Sometimes you only want to remove part of a language pack, not the entire language.

Go to Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
Click the three dots → Language options for a language.
Under Language features, click Remove next to:
- Speech
- Handwriting
- Basic typing
- Text-to-speech

This is great for saving storage space.

How to Change Regional Format (Dates, Currency, Numbers)

Changing the language alone doesn’t always change formats.

Open Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
Under Regional format, choose:
- English (United States)
- French (France)
- Japanese (Japan)
- Etc.

Your date, time, currency, and number formats now follow that region.

How to Change Speech Language in Windows 11

If you use dictation or voice typing:

Go to Settings → Time & language → Speech.
Under Speech language, select your preferred language.
Download required speech packages if prompted.

This improves accuracy for voice commands and dictation tools.

How to Change Display Language for Only Specific Apps

If you want a single app (like Microsoft Store, Mail, or Office) to use a different language:

Open Settings → Time & language → Language & region.
Scroll to Preferred languages.
Reorder languages — put the one you want apps to use at the top.

Certain apps use the top priority language regardless of system display language.

Troubleshooting Language Pack Issues

Here are common problems and their fixes:

1. Language Pack Not Installing

Try:

Checking your internet connection
Restarting Windows Update service
Running sfc /scannow and DISM /RestoreHealth
Restarting your PC

2. Can’t Remove a Language

Make sure it’s not set as:

Display language
System language
App default language

Change those settings first.

3. Handwriting / Speech Options Missing

Some features require:

Higher edition of Windows (Pro/Pro Education)
Online connectivity
Additional optional features

Check under “Optional features” in Settings.

Wrapping Up

Managing language packs in Windows 11 is easier than ever. Whether you’re working in multiple languages, typing in different keyboard layouts, or preparing your PC for someone else, Windows gives you all the tools you need to personalize your experience. From installing full display languages to removing unused packs and adjusting speech settings, you now have complete control.

We hope this detailed guide helped you install, remove, and manage language packs effortlessly. If you found it helpful, be sure to explore more of our deep-dive Windows 11 how-to guides. As always, thank you for reading till the very end — and we’ll see you again in the next tutorial!