How do I change languages and formats for multiple users?

[echord]

What we're trying to do is change the Language and Region Format for multiple users with one command or some type of script that we can load into a scehduled task.

We need to switch back and forth between English and Polish a couple times per day to accomodate some application testing. Becomes a cumbersome process to do by hand for each user.

So far we've tried:

However, this command is not working for current user, the syntax appears accurate as far as we checked.


We need it to use this command or similar to change for all users.



control.exe intl.cpl,, /f:"C:\setpolish.xml"

XML is below:

<gs:GlobalizationServices xmlns:gs="urn:longhornGlobalizationUnattend">
<!--User List-->
<gs:UserList>
<gs:User UserID="Current"/>
</gs:UserList>
<!—Display Language-->
<gs:MUILanguagePreferences>
<gs:MUILanguage Value="pl-PL"/>
<gs:MUIFallback Value="en-US"/>
</gs:MUILanguagePreferences>
<!--User Locale-->
<gs:UserLocale>
<gs:Locale Name="pl-PL" SetAsCurrent="true"/>
</gs:UserLocale>
</gs:GlobalizationServices>

 

[Brink]

Hello Echord, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm not sure about a command or script, but you could set the language you want, then use either method in the tutorial below to force all user accounts to use it.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/158161-display-language-force-overwrite-all-users.html

Hope this helps some for now,
Shawn

 

[echord]

I think we tried that. We're trying to eliminate as much human interaction as possible. Since we're in need of switching the language and formats multiple times per day what this doesn't really gain us anything it seems.

 

[Dwarf]

I've requested some advice from Kari, one of our experienced members, who uses multiple languages on his machine to take a look. He might have an idea on how to achieve what you want.

 

[echord]

Awesome, Thanks!

 

[Kari]

I think we tried that. We're trying to eliminate as much human interaction as possible. Since we're in need of switching the language and formats multiple times per day what this doesn't really gain us anything it seems.

One thing you cannot bypass is logging out and back in in order to change display language: For instance in your case when you change the Display Language of a user profile from Polish to English, you need to log out and log in again to apply language change; only at re-login is the language changed.

That being said, the only reasonable solution is to create two identical user profiles and using language packs change the Display Language of the second account to English (I assume that the main accounts are in Polish?). As you have to logout in any case for the language change to take effect, whatever script you might be able to make, it's much easier to switch user and login to that secondary user profile with secondary language than always switch language of one user. Switching accounts for instance allows apps to remain open.

For language packs you need Ultimate or Enterprise edition of Windows 7. This is how I would do it if it was my PC, my job:

• Install Windows in your primary language, use audit mode to install all software and create a new default profile so that all settings will be same in all user profiles
• Install language pack for your secondary language when logged in to initial user account after installation
• Create a new administrative user account
• Log in to this new user
• Change Display Language
• Log out, log back in to apply language change
• Change system locale, formats and Input Language of the secondary account to match selected Display language

That's it. Now you have a Windows 7 PC with two identical user account, one for both your languages and location. I would set system location on English account to UK and on Polish account to Poland.

Kari

 

[echord]

If nobody is logged in can the switches that control the language and formats be updated and then be ready for the next user who logs in.

What we're suggesting is: couldn't there be a script that we run 'behind the scenes' during off hours that swaps the format and language changes? Then when the user does log back in the language and format will change once the login is complete.

 

[Kari]

For your script to work the user should be logged in. Really, it is a most simple thing to use two accounts, one Polish and one English. User of course knows when logging in which language he/she should this time use and cliks the right account accordingly.