How to change OS Language?

freefl0w · 09 Feb 2011

I have a friend who is studying abroad from Japan and their laptop broke and they want to get a new one. However, they would really prefer it if the OS language was in Japanese (eg when you press the Windows key instead of 'Computer' it's 'コンピュータ'). I've tried fiddling around with mine, but changing the language seems to only change it for my clock, not the entire OS. I've heard with Enterprise one can freely change the languages in such a manner, but I would like confirmation before I recommend my friend a laptop and buying another OS if it's unnecessary and changeable through some other means...

Kari · 09 Feb 2011

Both Windows 7 Ultimate and Enterprise editions can be completely transformed to any of the available 35 languages. In addition of the installed original language, the rest 34 are offered as optional updates. Installing language packs is easy and effortless, you can change the display language of all user accounts to what you want to, and set a "master" language in which all new user accounts are created.

For instance all my rigs have user accounts in Finnish, English, German and Swedish. This laptop I am typing this post has an original German Windows 7 Ultimate, the mentioned three other languages available in other user accounts and the master language set to English, meaning that all new accounts created will be English.

Here's some additional reading about language packs:

Kari

whs · 09 Feb 2011

Yes, you can use the language pack in Enterprise or Ultimate - but not in the home editions. If you buy a new PC, you should see to it that it comes with the 5 laguage version (En, Ger; Fr, Span, Jpn) - then you can install the OS in any of those languages (but you must chose at installation time).