Fancy using your computer in another language to practice, for work, or because you feel more comfortable that way? Changing the system language in Windows and macOS is easier than it seems and, in fact, the process only takes a few minutes if you know where to click. That said, bear in mind that changing the system language will not automatically force the change in all programs or in your browser; many apps keep their own preference and you’ll have to select it when installing them or in their settings. With this guide, in pure geek style —as direct as installing a package in Linux or setting a shortcut in Visual Studio Code—, you’ll have it tuned without pain.
Change the language in Windows 10 and 11
On Windows, the quickest way is to open Settings with the Win + I shortcut, although you can also open the Start menu and click the gear icon. Then go to Time & language; in Windows 11 you’ll see Language & region, while in Windows 10 it appears as Language.
If the language you want already appears in Windows’ Language menu, select it and accept the change. If it doesn’t appear, tap Add a language (the button with the + symbol), search the list or type its name in the search box and select it. Before continuing, check the icons that accompany each package because they indicate which features are available; not all languages offer the same capabilities, and some options like text-to-speech or speech recognition may not be included.
During installation, check the box to set it as Windows’ display language. The system will download the necessary components and you’ll see the progress under Preferred languages. When it finishes, Windows will ask you to sign out or restart to apply the change; accept, and when you return to the desktop, the interface (Desktop, File Explorer, menus) will appear in the new language.
Lost in a language you don’t understand? Don’t worry: open Google Translate on your phone and use the camera translation to identify the menus and undo the change. And if after restarting the selected language doesn’t stick, try checking Windows Update and bring the system up to date before trying again.
Change the language on macOS (Ventura and earlier)
On a Mac, the journey starts at the Apple menu. Open System Settings if you’re on macOS 13 Ventura or later, or System Preferences on earlier versions. Inside, go to General and then Language & Region. You’ll see the list of system languages and can reorder them by dragging; place the one you want to use at the top so macOS adopts it as the preferred language.
If it doesn’t appear, press the + button to add it. The list is divided by a line: above it you’ll find languages fully supported by the macOS interface (menus, notifications, websites and more), and below you’ll see languages with partial support that may only appear in certain apps or websites. If you put a language that isn’t fully supported at the top, the system will fall back to the next available one to display missing items, so it’s wise to order the list carefully.
When macOS asks if you want to use the new language as primary, confirm; it may sometimes request a restart to complete the change. If you share the machine and want the new language to also appear on the login screen, click the gear icon in that same section and choose Apply to the login window.
An extra advantage on Mac is that you can set languages per application. Go to System Settings > General > Language & Region > Apps, press the + button, select the app and the language you want to associate. Perfect if, for example, you prefer to keep a particular tool in English while the rest of the system is in Spanish.
Key tips and frequently asked questions
Even if you change the system language, remember that many applications, including browsers, keep their own settings; when you install new software, read the installer and choose your preferred language if it’s offered. Also, keep in mind that not all language combinations include the same capabilities, so features like dictation, voice synthesis, or speech recognition may not be available in certain packages; if you need those options, check the compatibility icons before installing.
And if you accidentally choose a language you don’t master and don’t know how to return? The Google Translate camera is your ally: point it at the Settings menus and it will guide you enough to restore your usual language. On Windows, if after applying the change and restarting it doesn’t stick, make sure the installation is up to date via Windows Update and try again.
Finally, a compatibility note: this guide covers Windows 10/11 and macOS Ventura (and earlier versions with equivalent menu names). In older editions of Windows the steps vary, so it’s recommended to update when possible to benefit from a more straightforward process and better language packs.
With these steps you can now switch languages like changing profiles in your favorite app, taking advantage of the best of each ecosystem without getting lost in translation. Ready to set your device exactly in the language that speaks to you?
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