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Windows 10 does not normally require a separate language-pack installer. The supported consumer method is to download it from Settings > Time & Language > Language. You can install the Windows interface language, add a keyboard layout only, or select additional features such as handwriting, speech recognition, OCR, and text-to-speech.
Before starting, connect to the internet and check your Windows edition. Home Single Language and Home Country Specific editions cannot use a second Windows display language. A standard Windows 10 Home edition is not automatically restricted in this way.
Check whether your Windows 10 edition supports another display language
- Open Start and select Settings.
- Go to System > About.
- Under Windows specifications, check Edition.
If the edition is listed as Windows 10 Home Single Language or Windows 10 Home Country Specific, Windows will not allow you to add another display language. Installing a language package cannot remove this licensing restriction.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsYou should also note the installed Windows version because offline language media must match it. Windows 10 version 22H2 was the final general-availability release, and general Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Some LTSC editions have separate support dates.
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Download and install a language pack through Settings
Use an administrator account for this process. Microsoft’s Windows 10 instructions require administrator rights to add a language pack.
- Open Start > Settings.
- Select Time & Language.
- Choose Language in the left column.
- Under Preferred languages, select Add a language.
- Search for the language you want, or scroll through the list and select it.
- Select Next.
- In the Install language features window, make sure Language pack is selected.
- Select any other features you need, then select Install.
Windows downloads the required files from Windows Update and shows the progress below the language list. When installation finishes, the language appears under Preferred languages.
Choose the features to install
| Option | What it provides |
|---|---|
| Language pack | Localized Windows menus, Settings pages, dialogs, File Explorer elements, and other supported interface text. |
| Basic typing | Features such as spelling, text prediction, word breaking, and hyphenation where supported. |
| Fonts | Fonts needed by some writing systems. |
| Handwriting | Handwriting recognition for compatible pen or touch input. |
| Optical character recognition | Recognition of text in images. |
| Text-to-speech | Reads supported text aloud and supports accessibility features such as Narrator. |
| Speech recognition | Voice input and Windows Speech Recognition support. |
Not every language offers every feature. If an option is missing from the installation window, it is not available for that language or Windows version through the selected source.
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Installing a language pack does not automatically change the Windows interface. After installation:
- Return to Start > Settings > Time & Language > Language.
- Open the Windows display language drop-down menu.
- Select the language you installed.
- When Windows shows Setting Windows display language, select Yes, sign out now.
- Sign back in at the Windows sign-in screen.
If Windows does not show the sign-out prompt, right-click Start, select Shut down or sign out > Sign out, and then sign in again.
Some Windows components may remain in the original language. Windows can use the first fully localized language in the Preferred languages list for elements that are not completely localized in the selected language.
Add a keyboard layout without changing Windows language
You do not need to install a complete display language just to type with another keyboard layout.
- Open Settings > Time & Language > Language.
- Select the language associated with the layout.
- Select Options.
- Under Keyboards, select Add a keyboard.
- Choose the layout you want.
Switch between installed layouts by selecting the input-language icon on the taskbar or pressing Windows key + Spacebar. A keyboard-layout change affects typing, not the Windows display language.
Install a language capability with DISM
DISM is mainly useful for IT deployment, managed computers, offline systems, or cases where Settings cannot download the required files. Open Command Prompt as administrator or an elevated PowerShell window.
For example, this command installs the basic French language capability:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.Basic~~~fr-FR~0.0.1.0Replace fr-FR with the appropriate language tag. Examples of additional capabilities include:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.OCR~~~fr-FR~0.0.1.0
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.Handwriting~~~fr-FR~0.0.1.0
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.TextToSpeech~~~fr-FR~0.0.1.0
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.Speech~~~fr-FR~0.0.1.0Install the Language.Basic capability first. OCR, handwriting, and speech capabilities can depend on it, while speech recognition also depends on text-to-speech.
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Use matching offline media
For an offline Windows 10 installation, use the matching Features on Demand ISO or approved language-pack media. The media, language package, Windows version, edition, and architecture must be compatible. A package for Windows 10 version 1809, for example, should not be added to a version 1803 image.
To use a local or network source with a capability, run a command such as:
DISM /Online /Add-Capability /CapabilityName:Language.Basic~~~fr-FR~0.0.1.0 /Source:E: /LimitAccess/Source: identifies the mounted ISO, local folder, or network repository. /LimitAccess prevents DISM from contacting Windows Update or WSUS. The source must contain files matching the Windows version and architecture.
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For a CAB language-pack file, an online image can be serviced with:
DISM /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"C:LangPacksMicrosoft-Windows-Client-Language-Pack_x64_fr-fr.cab"Offline images use the /Image: parameter instead:
DISM /Add-Package /Image:C:MountWindows /PackagePath:"E:x64langpacksMicrosoft-Windows-Client-Language-Pack_x64_fr-fr.cab"Do not use Windows Server language packs with Windows 10. Enterprise and air-gapped environments should obtain the appropriate media through authorized volume-licensing or organizational channels rather than downloading packages from unofficial websites.
Fix common language-pack installation errors
“Your Windows license supports only one display language”
Check Settings > System > About > Windows specifications > Edition. This message normally means the PC uses Home Single Language or Home Country Specific. A language pack cannot convert that edition into a multi-language edition.
The language downloads but the interface stays the same
Adding a language only installs it. Select it from the Windows display language menu and sign out. The new interface language is applied after you sign back in.
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Error 0x800F081F
This usually means Windows cannot find the required package or source files. Restart the PC, then open an elevated Command Prompt and run:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
SFC.exe /ScannowRestart again and retry the installation. If the computer is offline, provide a matching Features on Demand source with DISM.
Error 0x800F0954
This is common on managed computers configured to use WSUS or another restricted update source. The language files may be unavailable from that source even though ordinary Windows Update works. Contact the administrator or use approved matching Features on Demand media.
Error 0x80072EE2, proxy errors, or a stalled download
These errors indicate that Windows cannot reach Windows Update, WSUS, Configuration Manager, or the configured proxy. Check the internet connection and proxy authentication. On a work or school PC, the organization may need to permit the language-feature download.
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Changing the display language can also affect the keyboard layout at the sign-in screen. Use the input-language icon there, or verify the characters with the password-reveal button before submitting your password.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Where do I download a Windows 10 language pack?
Use Settings > Time & Language > Language > Add a language. Select the language, choose Next, ensure Language pack is selected, and select Install. Avoid unofficial language-pack EXE downloads.
Why can’t I install a second language in Windows 10?
Your edition may be Windows 10 Home Single Language or Home Country Specific. Check Settings > System > About. Those editions support only one Windows display language.
Does adding a language pack change Windows 10’s display language automatically?
No. After installation, choose the language from the Windows display language menu and sign out. Sign back in to apply the change.
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Can I install only a keyboard layout?
Yes. Go to Settings > Time & Language > Language > select a language > Options > Add a keyboard. Press Windows key + Spacebar to switch layouts.
Do Windows 10 language packs still receive support?
General Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025, although some LTSC editions follow separate lifecycle dates. The language-pack steps apply to compatible existing Windows 10 installations.
The Bottom Line
For most Windows 10 PCs, install a language pack through Settings > Time & Language > Language > Add a language. Select the language pack features you need, then choose the language under Windows display language and sign out. If Settings cannot download the files, use DISM with matching Features on Demand media; do not mix packages from different Windows versions or use unofficial downloads.
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