# How can I change the language of my Windows VPS?
Source: https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/change-windows-language
Last reviewed: 2026-07-02
Summary: Windows Server installs in English, adding your display language via Settings, Time & Language (download the pack, set as display language, sign out), the separate knobs people conflate, display language vs keyboard layout vs regional formats, and applying the change to new accounts and system screens.

## What this is

Your Windows VPS comes with Windows Server in **English**, and Windows can run in your language instead. Three separate settings hide under "language", and most frustration comes from changing the wrong one, so, the map first:

- **Display language**: what menus, Settings, and dialogs are written in, the big one, needs a language pack.
- **Keyboard layout**: what your keys type, changeable instantly, no pack needed, and *independent* of display language (English Windows with a German keyboard is a perfectly normal combination).
- **Regional format**: dates, currency, decimal separators, also independent.

## Changing the display language

1. **Settings → Time & Language → Language** (on Server 2025/2022; *Language & region* on newer builds).
2. **Add a language**, pick yours, and make sure **"Set as my Windows display language"** is ticked in the add dialog (and include the Language pack component if offered).
3. Windows downloads the pack, then **sign out and back in** (your [RDP session](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/connect-rdp), disconnect and reconnect), the interface comes back in your language.

Two Server realities worth knowing: the download needs a few minutes (watch for it under the language's Options), and on some Server builds the list of *display*-capable languages is shorter than the full input-language list, if yours appears without the "display language" option, that build ships it as input/format support only.

## Keyboard layout only

If what you actually want is to **type** in your layout: same Language page → Add a language → *untick* the display option, or add a keyboard under your existing language's Options. Switch layouts with **Win+Space**. One RDP nuance: the client usually carries your local keyboard into the session, so if typing produces wrong characters, align the layout *inside* the VPS with the physical keyboard you're using.

## Formats, and the deeper system screens

- **Regional format** (dates, decimals): Settings → Time & Language → Language & region → Regional format, apps pick it up per-account.
- The display language applies to **your account**. To also cover the login screen, system accounts, and new users: **Control Panel → Region → Administrative tab → "Copy settings..."**, tick *Welcome screen and system accounts* and *New user accounts*. (The [time zone](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/change-time-zone-server-2019) is its own separate setting, and its own article.)

If a language pack refuses to download, check [Windows Update health](https://vpsdime.com/knowledgebase/windows-vps/windows-updates) first, packs come through the same pipe.

## Still need help?

You can [open a support ticket](https://vpsdime.com/open-ticket/). So we can help on the first reply, it's worth mentioning:

- the VPS hostname or IP and your Windows Server version,
- the language you're adding,
- what's still in the wrong language (display, keyboard, or formats), and whether the pack downloaded.

## Related questions

- "How do I change Windows Server to my language?"
- "How do I add a keyboard layout on my Windows VPS?"
- "Why does my RDP session type the wrong characters?"
- "How do I apply the language to the login screen and new accounts?"