To use another language in Windows XP, there are several ways you can do this. Changing the display language can be a bit more complicated, as it is difficult once Windows is installed. You can also change the input language to use the keyboard to insert characters from other languages.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Change the display language
Step 1. Try a language pack
The Microsoft website offers various language packs that you can use without having to reinstall Windows. You must have Service Pack 3 to be able to use these packs.
- Click here. Find your language in the list. If it is listed and you are using the required base language, click the download link to download the pack. If the language you are looking for is not listed or if you are not using the required base language, continue to the next step.
- Start the installer. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the pack. At the end of the installation, the changes will take effect after restarting.
Step 2. Know how the process goes
Although it is technically impossible to change the base language without reinstalling Windows, there is a way to have the desired language in much of the interface. This method requires downloading the update for Service Pack 3 (even if you have already installed Service Pack 3) and modifying a few registry values.
Step 3. Download the Service Pack 3 update
The update must be in the language you want to obtain. Go to the Service Pack 3 download page by clicking on this link. Use the drop-down menu to select the language you want to get. Once the language has been selected, click on the download button and select the second option in the window that appears. Ignore the additional options then click the blue button in the lower right corner to download the file.
Do not install the SP3 update yet. It will not work until you edit the registry
Step 4. Open Registry Editor
To change your language, you will need to modify your system registry slightly. The registry is what controls Windows, so be careful what you change inside.
To open Registry Editor, press ⊞ Win + R, type regedit, then press Enter
Step 5. Use the tree on the left to navigate
You can expand the folders to see the subfolders. Select a folder to display all the keys it contains in the frame on the right.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE / SYSTEM / ControlSet001 / Control / NIs / Language
Step 6. Double-click (default)
This option should be at the top of the list. A new window will appear and you can modify the value.
Step 7. Enter the code for the language you want to use
Each language has a 4-digit code that you must enter in the field Value data. Check the list below to find the language you want to use and to enter the correct code. Make sure the language is the same as the one selected in the SP3 file.
Language codes
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Language codes
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Step 8. Repeat the process for the “InstallLanguage” button
You will find it at the bottom of the list of keys. Use the same code as that used for the key (default).
Step 9. Close Registry Editor
Restart your computer. You must restart your computer before continuing or Service Pack 3 cannot be installed.
Step 10. Start the installation of Service Pack 3 after restarting
After restarting your computer, start the installation of Service Pack 3. It doesn't matter if you have already installed it, because the process will simply replace the system files with the new ones in the correct language. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the service pack.
Step 11. Restart your computer again
After installation is complete, restart your computer to apply the changes. When it restarts, you should see the changes applied to your display language.
You will notice that some elements are still in the original language. This is a limitation of this method. The only way to display a different language everywhere is to reinstall Windows XP and select the correct language during installation
Step 12. Download a language pack
After changing the base language (optional), you can download a language pack. If you have completed the previous steps to change the base language to install a language pack, you can now download and install the pack of your choice. Read step 1 of this section for more details.
Part 2 of 2: change the input language
Step 1. Open the control panel
You will find it in the Start menu. For older versions of Windows XP, select Settings to display the control panel.
Step 2. Select Regional Options, Date, Time, and Language
If you are using classic view, select Regional and linguistic options.
Step 3. Click on the Languages tab
It will allow you to change the options for your input language.
- If you want to use an East Asian language or a complex script language, check the appropriate boxes and click To apply to download the additional files required.
Step 4. Click the Details button
The menu Text services and input languages will open.
Step 5. Click the Add button
Select an input language, as well as a language and keyboard layout from the drop-down menus. Click on OK when you are satisfied.
Step 6. Select your new default language
You will find it in the drop-down menu. The newly added language will appear as an option in the drop-down menu Default input language. Select it to change the input language and click To apply to save your changes.
Step 7. Click on the language bar
Use the language bar to navigate through the available input languages. This option will appear automatically when you have more than one language installed. You'll find it in the taskbar near the notification area. Click on the active language to see a list of all installed input languages.
