How to Install Windows 10 Language Packs

How to Install Windows 10 Language Packs
How to Install Windows 10 Language Packs

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Following on from our popular posts in relation to previous Windows 10 language pack downloads (here and here), we thought we would bring things right up to date for Windows 1909 and also show the process to follow to install and configure a language pack in Windows 1903 and above.

We are going to show you two methods in this article on how to install a Windows 10 language pack. One method is for the corporate user where a manual installation may be required depending on how your business locks down its security settings. The second method is a basic home user method using the Microsoft Store.

2024 Update

Included in this latest up-to-date Windows Language Pack download are the 32-bit and 64-bit language packs for 38 different languages and also the Local Experience Packs to go with them.

Corporate Install of Windows 10 Language Packs

Windows 10 Language Pack Downloads

You will need to download the Windows 10 Language Packs ISO file from your Microsoft VLSC. These contain all the files that you will need to install for adding a different language.

Note that you have to change the language to Multilanguage in the drop-down menu and also use the 1903 version (this also covers 1909 version). Then download the Language Packs ISO:

Multilanguage ISO Download
Multilanguage ISO Download

Once they have downloaded, extract the ISO file using something like 7-Zip and you should see a folder structure. First, go into the LocalExperiencePack folder and take a copy of the folder for language you want, for the purposes of this guide we will use Hungarian, so we are looking for hu-hu.

Then go into the architecture you need (we are using x64) and then into the langpacks folder. This will bring up a large number of cabs files. Find the one you need (hu-hu for Hungarian) and copy this and paste all the files into a local folder. You will end up with something that looks like this:

Hungarian Language Pack Files
Hungarian Language Pack Files

Installing the Language Pack

You need to install the full language pack first. This is the file with the cab file extension.

To do this, run the following command, changing the filename and folder location where required:

dism /norestart /online /add-package /packagepath:"C:TGHlangshu-huMicrosoft-Windows-Client-Language-Pack_x64_hu-hu.cab"

Local Experience Pack Installation

Once you have a successful language pack installation, you then need to install the Local Experience Pack. To do this, just double click on the APPX file which will bring up an installation box like this (note that it is already in Hungarian!):

How to Install Windows 10 Language Packs 1
Local Experience Pack Installation

Click on the Install button to start the installation process. You will then get a notification that the installation is complete:

How to Install Windows 10 Language Packs 2
Local Experience Pack Installation Complete

Language Extras

To ensure that you have all the available options to you for the language that you want to install, you should now pre-install the five other language extras that are:

  • Basic Features
  • Handwriting
  • OCR
  • Speech
  • TextToSpeech

However, not all five extras are available for each language pack. For the Hungarian one that we are installing here, there are just three.

Download Language Features

To download these extra features, you need to go back into your Microsoft VLSC and download the Microsoft Features on Demand ISO’s.

Microsoft VLSC - Features on Demand
Microsoft VLSC – Features on Demand

Again, using a tool like 7-Zip, extract the ISO’s and search for the files with LanguageFeatures and the shortcode of the language you want in the filename. So for example, the TextToSpeech filename for our Hungarian language is:

Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-TextToSpeech-hu-hu-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

Once you have the files you need, copy them to the same place all your other language files are on the local machine.

Installing Language Features

The command lines below are what you need to run to install each one that is available for your own selected language.

Basic Features

dism /norestart /online /add-package /packagepath:C:TGHlangshu-huMicrosoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Basic-hu-hu-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

Handwriting Installation

dism /norestart /online /add-package /packagepath:C:TGHMicrosoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Handwriting-hu-hu-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

OCR Installation

dism /norestart /online /add-package /packagepath:C:TGHMicrosoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-OCR-hu-hu-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

Speech Installation

dism /norestart /online /add-package /packagepath:C:TGHMicrosoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Speech-hu-hu-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

TextToSpeech Installation

dism /norestart /online /add-package /packagepath:C:TGHMicrosoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-TextToSpeech-hu-hu-Package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

As you go through the above processes, you should get success messages like the ones below:

Successful Language Extras Installations
Successful Language Extras Installations

Setup Language in Windows

Now that all the files required for a successful language installation are complete, you can now go into the language settings in your Windows environment to apply them.

Click Start and then click on the cog icon to go into Settings. Then click on the Time & Language option:

Screenshot of the Windows 10 settings menu with various categories listed on the left side. "Time & Language" is highlighted, focusing on speech, region, and date settings.
Screenshot of the Windows 10 settings menu with various categories listed on the left side. “Time & Language” is highlighted, focusing on speech, region, and date settings.

Click on Language option on the left side menu and then click Add a preferred language:

Add a preferred language
Add a preferred language

This will bring up a pop-up box. In the search area type the name of the language you want to add:

Search for Language
Search for Language

Highlight the language you want and then click the Next button at the bottom of the box.

The next box will then ask you your preferred language and if you want to Set as my display language:

Set as my display language

We do want to change the display language so we tick the box and then click on the Install button.

That’s finally it! You should now see that all your language settings are set to what you want them to be. Just reboot to activate the change.

Language set to Hungarian
Language set to Hungarian

Home Install of Windows 10 Language Pack

Installing the Language Pack

After the long way round of installing language packs for corporate use the home user method is very simple indeed!

Microsoft Store Installation

All you need to do is to install the language pack from the Microsoft Store.

Open the Microsoft Store and then search for the Italian Language Pack:

Italian Language Pack in Microsoft Store
Italian Language Pack in Microsoft Store

Click on it and then click on the Get button at the top right of the Store:

Screenshot of an online store page featuring “Italiano Language Pack” by Microsoft Corporation for Windows 10. Highlighted is a "get" button, indicating the software is free.
Screenshot of an online store page featuring “Italiano Language Pack” by Microsoft Corporation for Windows 10. Highlighted is a “get” button, indicating the software is free.

This will bring up the Install language features pop-up, go ahead and click on the Install button:

Install Italian Language Pack
Install Italian Language Pack

The installation process will now start and wait until it is fully complete:

Screenshot of a computer settings window displaying options for Windows 10 language packs, with Italian (Italia) set as the default app and input language, and English (United Kingdom) as

You can now reboot your machine and your Italian language and keyboard settings should all be working.

Versions

Although these files and this guide are for Windows 10 build 1909, it does also cover all builds.

FAQ’s

  • What does LP Mean?

    LP is short for Language Pack.

  • What does LIP Mean?

    LIP is short for Language Interface Package.

  • Where is the Windows Key?

    The Windows Key is at the bottom left of your keyboard, usually found between the CTRL and ALT keys. To make is easily to find, it has the Windows 10 logo on it!

  • What does Microsoft VLSC Mean?

    Microsoft VLSC is short for Microsoft Volume Licensing Service Center. This is where corporate accounts can download and license a vast amount of operating systems and other Microsoft software, including offline language pack installers.

  • What does APPX Mean?

    APPX is the filename for applications that are installed through the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 computers.

Feedback

We would love to hear back from you if you have used our guide and it has been successful for you. Also if you have any questions or need any help, please feel free to leave us a message in the comments section below.

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Founder of TechyGeeksHome and Head Editor for over 15 years! IT expert in multiple areas for over 26 years. Sharing experience and knowledge whenever possible! Making IT Happen.

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