This article shows you how to change the language on your computer. This change alters the text that appears in menus and windows. You can proceed on both a Windows computer and a Mac. Remember that this does not change the default language of the internet browser or other programs.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Windows
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 1 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 1](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-16-j.webp)
Step 1. Open the Start menu
Click on the Windows logo located in the lower left corner of the screen.
You can also press the relevant key on your keyboard to access the menu
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 2 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 2](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-18-j.webp)
Step 2. Click on Settings
The icon is shaped like a gear and is located on the left side of the Start menu.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 3 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 3](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-20-j.webp)
Step 3. Select Date / time and language
You should see the option in the center of the screen.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 4 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 4](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-21-j.webp)
Step 4. Click on the Region and language section
Typically, it is placed on the far left of the window.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 5 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 5](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-22-j.webp)
Step 5. Choose Add a language
Next to this feature you can see a large + in the center of the page just below the "Languages" heading.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 6 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 6](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-23-j.webp)
Step 6. Choose the language
Click on the one you want your computer to use.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 7 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 7](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-24-j.webp)
Step 7. Select a dialect
If you are offered a page with different regional dialects by clicking on your preferred language, choose one by clicking on it.
This option may not be available for your specific language
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 8 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 8](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-25-j.webp)
Step 8. Click on the language you added
It should be under the one your computer is currently using in the "Languages" section of the window; with this step you expand a dialog box.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 9 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 9](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-26-j.webp)
Step 9. Choose Options
The button appears under the name of the language and allows you to open a window with various options.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 10 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 10](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-27-j.webp)
Step 10. Download the package
Click on Download which is located under "Download language pack" in the upper left corner of the page.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 11 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 11](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-28-j.webp)
Step 11. Click on the arrow to return to the previous page
You can find it in the upper left corner of the screen.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 12 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 12](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-30-j.webp)
Step 12. Click on the language again and select Set as Default
This key appears under the name of the language itself; this moves the language to the top of the "Languages" list and sets it as the default for all menus, applications, and other system options.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 13 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 13](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-31-j.webp)
Step 13. Restart your computer
Open the Start menu, click on Stop
and select Reboot the system. At the end of the procedure you must enter your account credentials and all the functions appear in the new selected language.
Method 2 of 2: Mac
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 14 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 14](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-33-j.webp)
Step 1. Open the Apple menu
Click on the Apple logo located in the upper left corner of the screen; in this way you open a drop-down menu.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 15 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 15](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-35-j.webp)
Step 2. Choose System Preferences
You can find this option at the top of the dropdown list.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 16 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 16](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-36-j.webp)
Step 3. Click on Region and language
The feature is recognizable by a flag icon located at the top of the system preferences window.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 17 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 17](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-37-j.webp)
Step 4. Select +
The icon is located under the lower left corner of the "Preferred Languages:" box, which in turn is located on the left portion of the "Region and language" window. This procedure activates a pop-up window with different languages.
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 18 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 18](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-38-j.webp)
Step 5. Scroll down the list until you find the option you prefer and click Add
![Change the Language on Your Computer Step 19 Change the Language on Your Computer Step 19](https://i.sundulerparents.com/images/002/image-3702-39-j.webp)
Step 6. Click Use [language name] when the system prompts you
This button is blue in color and is located in the lower right corner of the window; clicking on it makes the indicated language default.