Unfortunately, on my PC was pre installed Windows 8.1 Single Language (BR Portuguese) and I can't change the "display language" from BR-PT to US English because don't have any options; for that obvious reason, indeed. So, please: how can I install a new "display language" onto Windows 8.1 Single Language version?
3 Answers
WARNING - some people have found that this method renders their machine unbootable, see discussion in comments. Use at your own risk!
Here how I managed to change "Core Single Language" Windows 8.1 language from Russian to English. Thanks to @mako response.
I've also made the same steps for Windows 10 Single Language.
First of all go and get a language pack you need, links for 8.1 are available here http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/ec4419df-ea0b-4da9-8750-063126debe97/language-pack-not-usable-message-in-windows-81?forum=w8itprogeneral
For Windows 10 you can get ISO with all language packs at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzfuX_e_6iY, links are inside video description. Video itself is not related. You need to download ISO for your particular build, mine was build #10240 x64. You can get build number by running command prompt and looking in the first line for "Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.10240]". I've made these steps after I upgraded from Windows 8.1 to Windows 10. As you know, if you changed your display language in 8 or 8.1 for single language version, then after upgrading to 10 you get your original display language, in my case it was Russian. I had to do these steps to set display language to English once again.
Now to the point. (package names/versions are different Windows 10)
Download a CAB file (language pack) for your language. Then rename the file to lp.cab and put it into C:\ drive folder.
Then run a command line (cmd, command prompt) as administrator and run this command there:
dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\lp.cab
This will install new language pack into the system. But you can not change language yet. You need to uninstall your old language to apply new one. Run this command now in the same command prompt window:
dism /Online /Get-Packages | findstr /c:"LanguagePack"
This will give you a list of installed language packs, something like this:
Package Identity : Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~en-US~6.3.9600.16384
Package Identity : Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~ru-RU~6.3.9600.16384
You need to get a package identity for you current language which needs to be removed. I needed to remove Russian so I get "Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~ru-RU~6.3.9600.16384" as a package name. ru-RU part is a language name. If you need to remove English than look for a package name with en-US part.
OK, now you need to uninstall unneeded language pack, run this command, change package name to one found earlier:
dism /Online /Remove-Package /PackageName:Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~ru-RU~6.3.9600.1638
After that it will ask you to restart computer to apply changes, respond Y and after restart you will get a new system language. If you ever need to change it back just make the same procedure for different language pack.
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1Works perfectly for me from ru-RU to en-US. Thank you a lot!– GeniusCommented Apr 10, 2014 at 19:04
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Thanks, It is really interisting. I faced this tutorial - sergeit.blogspot.ru/2013/11/windows-8-single-language-mui.html . Is it necessary to use bcdedit.exe to employ the new language pack after Add-Package ? Commented May 14, 2014 at 7:45
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1I did this, but after restart Windows doesn't seem to start again. Just a dark screen, and the HD working but effectively doing nothing (I guess, more than 30min have passed)– arodCommented Jul 5, 2014 at 15:47
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1This solution works fine only on a freshly installed Windows. If you have some updates installed, your Windows probably won't start after reboot.– MishaCommented Nov 19, 2014 at 0:08
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1I tried this on pt-BR => en-US - rendered the machine unbootable as well. I added a warning in the beginning of the answer.– JonathanCommented Oct 10, 2015 at 14:37
Your solution "egaistek" is perfect but it needs additional steps:
Windows 8 Single language does not support multiple language. so you need to uninstall the old one. and then install the new package.
1-First of all go and get a language pack you need, links are available here http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/ec4419df-ea0b-4da9-8750-063126debe97/language-pack-not-usable-message-in-windows-81?forum=w8itprogeneral
2-Download a CAB file (language pack) for your language. Then rename the file to lp.cab and put it into C:\ drive folder.
3-Then run a command line (cmd, command prompt) as administratior and run this command there: dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\lp.cab
This will install new language pack into the system. The installation will take time be patient. But you cannot change language yet. You need to uninstall your old language to apply new one.
- Run this command now in the same command prompt window: dism /Online /Get-Packages > c:\file.txt
This part of command “c:\file.txt” will allow you to save the result of command “dism /Online /Get-Packages” to text file , so it will be easy for you to view it, to be clear try to run command with out this part and you understand what I mean .
This will give you a list of installed updates/packages including language packs, you will locate this information in the file stored to c:\file.txt, view the file and Look for something like this:
Package Identity : Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e3 5~amd64~en-US~6.3.9600.16384 State : Installed Release Type : Language Pack Install Time : 15.02.2014 15:52
- Concentrate in the Time to get a package identity for you current language which needs to be removed. You will found two packages installed your target language and the old language, look for which have old install time.
I need to remove Russian so I get "Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~ru-RU~6.3.9600.16384" as a package name. ru-RU part is a language name. If you need to remove English than look for a package name with en-US part.
- OK, now you need to uninstall unneeded language pack, run this command, change package name to one found earlier: dism /Online /Remove-Package /PackageName:Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~ru-RU~6.3.9600.1638
Also uninstall process will take time be patient. After that it will ask you to restart computer to apply changes, respond Y and after restart you will get a new system language. If you ever need to change it back just make the same procedure for different language pack.
your solution very useful thanks.
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The solution for Mr. egaistek , and I have tested and I add some steps I used to be totally perfect. and It works form me for windows 8 single , so it works for all version. Commented Feb 19, 2014 at 8:01
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1I am going to have to issue a downvote because for the third time somebody had reported this solution hosing their windows installation.– RamhoundCommented Apr 29, 2015 at 11:38
There is a way to change your language to English:
1-Install a program called (Belarc Advisor) its free program use its to show your windows 8 or 8.1 license key write it some where.
2-Go to google.com or bing.com search for windows 8.1 single language iso file there is a lot of them around the internet just download one of them and make sure that the language is English and see if its x86(32bit) or x64(64bit) download one like yours.
3-Burn your ISO file to a DVD or make a bootable USB flash ( search for this rufus_v1.3.4 on internet if you want to make a bootable USB flash with your ISO File)
4-Boot your PC from DVD/USB and install the windows( if asked you to inter the key during installation use the key that you grabbed from step one if it didn't worked then search for a key for windows 8.1 single language on the internet and use it temporarily.
5-After you finished installation of winodws use your key to activate windows( the key that you grabbed form step one with Belarc Advisor) thats it
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3This requires you reinstall the entire operating system. This isn't really a "soltuion" would be easier to simply purchase the upgrade to
Windows 8 Professional.– RamhoundCommented Feb 4, 2014 at 20:53 -
1Sorry for commenting on an old post, but the good thing about this answer is if the other two answers mess your OS up, you have a fallback.– TyressCommented Apr 21, 2015 at 15:36
Windows 8 Professional.Windows 8 Single Languageis a limited version of theWindows 8 Coreversion.Windows 8 Single LanguagetoWindows 8 Coreconsidering they are the same level so he would actually pay more overall buying a Windows 8 Core license then if he were to pay to upgrade his license toWindows 8 Professionalwhich would simply be the difference.334NHkey with the Add features to Windows 8.1 feature in the Control Panel, this might work in Windows 8 SingleLanguage as well.