Restoring Windows to English after Accidentally Changing the Language
Here’s where I got caught out — one minute everything was in English, and the next, the entire interface was in a language I don’t even speak. Maybe I clicked too quickly during setup or an update caused it. Anyway, if you’re in the same boat and need to switch back to English, it’s not as straightforward as you’d hope—especially since all the menus, labels, and options are now in a foreign language. But don’t worry, it’s doable—you just need to have a bit of a poke around and recognise some icons and their positions.
Navigating Windows Settings When You Can’t Read the Language
First thing: right-click the Windows start button. It’s usually in the bottom left corner—just like always, even if the icon looks totally different now. After right-clicking, a menu will pop up. The tricky part is that it’s all in the new language, so guessing which option to pick is where the trial-and-error kicks in. Your goal is to find the menu item that opens Settings, which normally has a gear icon. In my experience, it tends to be about the sixth or seventh item from the top, no matter the language. If you hover over the options without clicking, tooltips might pop up showing some English or familiar words—that can help confirm you’re on the right track.
Once you get into Settings (the gear icon), another window will open. Navigating this can feel strange because the tab and icon labels are in a foreign language, but the layout usually remains the same. Look for the section related to Time & Language. It often has an icon that looks like a clock or a globe. Again, focus more on recognising the position and icons rather than trying to read the words. If you see options that resemble date/time, language, or regional settings, you’re likely in the right spot.
Changing the Display Language to English
Within the “Time & Language” settings, the next step is to find the display language option. It’s usually the second tab from the left (or top, depending on your layout). The labels here are tricky—possibly in a different script— but what you want is the submenu related to Language. Focus on the dropdown menu that lists languages. It will probably show the current language in its native script, but if you see English or an English flag icon, select that. If not, scroll through the list until you find it. After selecting English, click on any button that looks like “Apply” (often labelled Apply or OK), and that should switch your display language back to English.
Also, look out for a regional format setting—sometimes there’s a separate section or a nearby menu. Here you can set the region to somewhere where English is the main language, like “Australia,” “United Kingdom,” or “United States.” This helps correct date/time formats, currency, and other regional settings, which can sometimes be separate from the language setting.
Adjusting Speech & Voice Settings (If Still in the Wrong Language)
If your system includes speech recognition or voice commands, these might also be stuck in the wrong language. In the same “Time & Language” menu, look for a “Speech” tab or link—probably accessible via an arrow or nested menu. Make sure the speech language is set to English too. Often, there’s a dropdown where you select the “Speech language”; if it’s still in another language, pick the one that’s clearly marked as English. Microphone icons or soundwave symbols can help you identify the options.
Final Step: Signing Out and Rebooting
Once everything looks correct, you’ll need to sign out and sign back in for all the changes to take effect. The start menu icon usually remains visible—just with a different label now. To sign out, look for the user profile icon or a power button, probably in the bottom corner. The menu options there might be in the foreign language, but their position is generally the same. Alternatively, press Ctrl + Alt + Del and select the sign-out option. Sometimes, it’s quicker to restart the PC (Power > Restart) because Windows can stick to the old language settings even after you change them.
After signing out or rebooting, log back in and check if the interface is now in English. It usually takes a moment for all parts of Windows to update—especially if new language packs were involved.
Extra Tips and Troubleshooting
If the language option isn’t available or is greyed out, you might need to install the English language pack. If you can’t find the option to add languages, your account may be restricted—like on a work or school device—or your Windows might need an update. To check, type optionalfeatures.exe into the Run box (Win + R) and look for “Language Pack” or optional features. Keep in mind, you’ll likely need administrator rights to do this.
Sometimes, updating Windows or installing the language pack makes all the difference. Be patient—these menus aren’t always intuitive when they’re in a language you don’t understand. If all else fails, try searching online for the language you see (“French”, “German”, etc.) paired with words like “Settings” or “Language” to find step-by-step guides. Learned that the hard way myself—took ages to figure out the right menus!
Wrapping Up
In the end, I found it helped to remember that menu positions tend to be pretty consistent, even if the labels change. Double-check your current language and regional settings, then sign out or reboot after making adjustments. Hopefully, this gives you a bit of relief, because I swear—fixing this felt like hours! Just a bit of patience and recognising the icons and their positions is all you need. Good luck, and don’t get too frustrated!