Windows 7 gave users much more control over how languages worked throughout the OS. Windows 8 users aren’t so lucky. Dealing with languages in the latest version of Microsoft’s flagship product is cumbersome and buggy at best. We showed you how to change the overall language in Windows 8, now we’ll show you how to set individual app languages.
How to Set Individual App Language
In order for this to work, you’ll need to have at least another language installed in Windows 8 in addition to the default language your PC came with.
Use the “Windows Key + X” shortcut to open the Win + X Menu and click “Control Panel.”
Click “Category” next to “View by” at the top right of the Control Panel.
Then, click “Small icons” to change the layout view to find the “Language” settings more easily.
Now, click on “Language.”
To the left side of the Language settings, click on “Advanced Settings.”
Remember: If you don’t have other languages installed in Windows 8, you won’t be able to change the default language of apps that support the option.
Scroll down until you find the Switching input methods settings.
Check the box next to “Let me see a different input method for each app window.”
Click “Save” at the bottom right of the language advanced settings.
Finally, restart your PC.
If the app you’re using supports a change in language and it’s installed on your Windows 8 PC, you’ll be able to switch the app language.
When you run an app, open the “Charms Bar” and head to “Settings.”
You’ll want to look for “General” settings. If the app supports language switching, you’ll be able to switch to a new language and save the settings from this area of the Windows 8 app. The next time you start the app, it’ll load in the language of your choice.
Windows 8.1 App Language Switch Issue
If you’re running Windows 8.1, there is a current issue that forces users to have to uninstall an app, then reinstall it to get the language switch to work properly. Microsoft has yet to release a fix for the Pro Preview yet, so we can only hope this is fixed for users when the upgrade goes live.
Conclusion
Windows 8 complicates a lot of features for users, but with a little tweaking you can choose the language of apps if they support it. Hopefully, Microsoft will find ways to make Windows 8 more like Windows 7 when it comes to language options in the future. For the meantime, this is a quick fix to the underlying issues at play in Windows 8.
Melissa Popp has been a freelance writer for over a decade. While she primarily has focused on writing about technology, she’s also written about everything from custom mailboxes to health care to just about anything in between.
Melissa is the Content Strategist for Trailerbroker.com, the nation’s leading marketplace for trailers for sale, the Social Media Manager for the best roofing Denver company as well as a Writer here at MakeTechEasier.
She’s a proud support of the Denver SEO community and a big fan of online radio.
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