How to Overwrite the Display Language of All Users with the System Display Language

   Information
The display language is what Windows 7 and Vista Ultimate and Enterprise editions use to display text in wizards, dialog boxes, menus, and other items in the user interface (UI).

This will show you how to force whatever current system display language (Option Two at link) set by an administrator to overwrite and ignore the display language set by users in their user accounts. This can be handy if you have more than one language pack installed.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.


EXAMPLE: Display Language for All Users Forced to be Only the System Display Language
NOTE: Notice the Choose a Display Language drop down menu is grayed out preventing users the ability to change the display language.
Display Language - Force to Overwrite All Users-example.jpg





OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download


1. If you have not already, you will need to set the system display language to what language you want to have all users forced to use.
A) For how, see OPTION TWO here: Display Language - Change
2. To Force Current System Display Language to Overwrite User's Display Language
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Force_Adminitrator_Display_Language_for_All_Users.reg
B) Go to step 4.
3. To Unforce Current System Display Language and Allow User's to Change their Own Display Language
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Unforce_Adminitrator_Display_Language_for_All_Users.reg
4. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.

5. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

6. Click on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.

7. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.





OPTION TWO

Through the Local Group Policy Editor


1. If you have not already, you will need to set the system display language to what language you want to have all users forced to use.
A) For how, see OPTION TWO here: Display Language - Change
2. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.

3. In the left pane, click on the arrow to expand Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Control Panel, then click on Regional and Language Options. (see screenshot below)
Display Language - Force to Overwrite All Users-gpedit-1.jpg
4. In the right pane, right click on Force selected system UI language to overwrite the user UI language and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)

5. To Unforce Current System Display Language and Allow User's to Change their Own Display Language
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 7)

B) Go to step 7.
6. To Force Current System Display Language to Overwrite User's Display Language
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
7. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
Display Language - Force to Overwrite All Users-gpedit-2.jpg
8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
That's it,
Shawn