Windows 7 - Completely change language of Ultimate installation?

Hi!

I received a German Windows 7 Ultimate Signature Edition with the HomeParty thingy Microsoft was sponsoring. But I want my Windows to be in English, so I downloaded the English Language Patch via Windows Update and installed it. Now everything is nicely in English AFTER I login.
Before login, it still says the German words for "Password", "Windows is starting up", "Windows is shutting down", "Windows is configuring updates", ...

Is there any way to completely patch it to English?

Thanks for your help!

The only way to do that is to use an English language version of the software. See if any of your friends have an English Ultimate DVD and reinstall using the key that came with your signature version.

Snarks

So my Ultimate Signature key will work with any Ultimate version? All my friends have German Windows 7 as well (not that uncommon since I live in Germany :P), but I could download it "somewhere" in the internet and use my legal key then if it will work with the normal Ultimate as well.

You don't have to reinstall or have the Ultimate version to change the language with Vistalizator. Check out my thread here.

The Win 7 installers are all the same (with versions hidden due to ei.cfg file in Sources), but the keys are version-specific, and I believe also language-specific from what I have read.

No they aren't language specific, they are just version specific. They use the same algorithyms (god i can't spell) for english/french/russian/spanish/german ect... Because all they have to do is swap out the language packs (well figuratively speaking) and re-configure the setup files. BAM different language same system. You should be able to modify every piece of text on the OS somewhere, as I remember mucking around a lot with Vista when it came out.

Either way you purchased a Ultimate version, and you should be able to install ultimate no matter what language you choose. =)

[edit] I may be wrong... =( I guess you can install, but activation might be different? Though I'm sure you could activate via phone, or call MS to find out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Product_Activation

I know wikipedia isn't the best, but they do mention region specific which I'm going to say might be language specific.... THOUGH I don't know if it really means that or you just have to live there (as it would contact their servers).

[final edit] AHHHH solution found!

http://www.howtogeek.com/forum/topic...guage-question

BAH I knew I was /probably/ correct! I was pretty sure I knew how they did the installs, as it is a 'language pack' so every installer is the same, it's just region activation that's different. (though that's just knowing how the inet works hehe)

So there is your answer!

Mushroom has it. I have an English and a foreign language edition. Both take the same key. (But remember the Eula.) If you are honest, you will need two keys for two separate language version installs.
Fwiw. Also for personal useage, I have two alternative MUI's installed, other than English but, as the OP has discovered, they do not translate the whole range.

From MS
"Windows 7 MUIs provide a translated version of most of the user interface. MUIs require a license to be used and are only available in Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise. If you are using Windows 7 Enterprise, contact your system administrator for information about installing additional languages."
Maybe the program mentioned in a previous post covers the problem, if you have other than Ultimate/Enterprise?

I like your post.... "if you are honest".... Though if the OP only wants to install English and not the other language if I'm reading things right... So really the EULA doesn't have any say in this. He payed for the key, really you can have multiple versions of the software as that's not illegal, just as long as one machine is registered per key. He has all legal rights to install from a friends CD, though if he wants to be sure he could call up MS and either ask for a key or ask for the technical details of how he has to go about getting an english install without paying for another key. I'm pretty sure MS would do something in his favor, as they want to keep the respected customers.

[edit]

I'm basing this off the fact that you can install a 'demo' of Windows 7 on any machine, that's not illegal. And if you so happened to purchase a key for the ultimate and registered with the 'demo' that in itself isn't illegal. So really if that's not illegal then it's a pretty big gray line that defines that and borrowing a friends english version just because you got the wrong language. In all reality you don't really purchase MS's software so much as the right to use it, and in reality you aren't even doing that. You are purchasing the right to use X version, such as Basic, Home, Ultimate... Regardless of where you are and what language. Though due to certain laws they do have certain region specific activations and I think that's because of country laws.

I am sure whatever you said there is correct. I was merely supporting your post. Unfortunately, when I have another read of the OP, neither post answers his question.. If I were in multimulti's position, I would feel confident in contacting Microsoft and asking for a swap to the English version, which would solve his problem..

Hi there

Doesn't Ultimate come with Language packs -- if it does then you can change the GUI etc languages in the regional options.

Otherwise I think you can download Language packs for most common Languages -- English shouldn't be a problem.

I've switched languages loads of times on XP - There's no Language pack for me for Windows 7 yet however .

You can of course bypass Windows 7's logon screen in any case ==> go to acessories===> Run and type in control userpasswords2

Now disable "Users must enter a password to use this machine"

You'll get a popup asking for the default user and the password to be used at logon.

Next time you boot up you'll be taken straight into your session without getting a password prompt (in German or whatever) and your session will be in English.

Cheers
jimbo