Windows Is Stuck in French After Changing It to English [Fix]

Changing the Windows display language from French to English should normally update the interface, menus, Settings pages, and other Windows elements. However, sometimes Windows can remain partly or completely in French even after English has been selected.

This can happen when the English language pack has not been fully installed, the Windows display language setting has not been applied correctly, regional settings are still configured for French, or the computer needs to be signed out or restarted. 

In some cases, only certain parts of Windows remain in French while other areas appear in English.

Let’s resolve the issue in a simple way!

Windows Is Stuck in French After Changing It to English

If Windows is stuck in French after changing it to English, first make sure that English is installed as a Windows language pack and selected as the Windows display language. Then sign out or restart your computer so Windows can apply the change.

If some menus are still displayed in French, you should also check the regional format, language preferences, and administrative language settings. 

The steps below explain how to do this even if most of your Windows interface is still in French.

Step 1: Open Windows Language Settings

The first thing you need to check is whether Windows has actually installed English correctly.

Press Windows + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app. The Settings window may still appear in French. Do not worry if you cannot understand every option.

In Windows 11, select Time & language. In French, this section is called Heure et langue.

Next, select Language & region, which may appear as Langue et région.

You should now see a section showing the languages installed on your computer. Look for English in the list.

If English is already listed, continue to the next step. If English is missing, you need to add it before Windows can use it as the display language.

To add English, select Add a language, which may be displayed as Ajouter une langue. Search for English, select the English variant you want, and continue through the installation process.

When Windows asks you to install the language pack, make sure the Language pack option is selected. If available, also select the option to use English as the Windows display language.

Allow Windows to finish downloading and installing the required files.

Step 2: Select English as the Windows Display Language

Installing English does not always mean Windows is automatically using it as the display language. You need to verify the setting separately.

Go back to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

Find the Windows display language setting. In French, it may appear as Langue d’affichage de Windows.

Click the language selection box and choose English.

If you see several versions of English, choose the one you want, such as English (United States) or English (United Kingdom).

After selecting English, Windows may display a message telling you that you need to sign out before the new display language can be applied.

Save any open documents and select Sign out if Windows provides that option.

After signing back into your account, check the Start menu, Settings, File Explorer, and other Windows interface elements. They should now appear in English.

Step 3: Make Sure the English Language Pack Is Fully Installed

If Windows continues displaying French after you selected English, the English language pack may not have been installed completely.

Open Settings again by pressing Windows + I.

Navigate to Time & language > Language & region and find English under the list of preferred languages.

Select the three dots next to English and choose Language options.

Look for the Language pack section. Windows should indicate that the English language pack is installed.

If Windows shows an option to Download or Install the language pack, select it.

Keep your computer connected to the internet while Windows downloads the required language files. Depending on your internet connection and Windows version, this may take several minutes.

Once installation is complete, return to the Language & region page and select English as your display language again.

Then sign out and sign back in.

This step is particularly important because changing the language preference without installing the corresponding language files may leave parts of Windows in French.

Step 4: Move English to the Top of the Preferred Languages List

Windows uses your preferred language list to determine which languages should be used for different applications and system features.

Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

Under Preferred languages, locate English.

If French is above English, select English and move it above French using the available controls. On some Windows versions, you may need to use the three-dot menu and select the appropriate option.

You can leave French installed if you still need it for typing or other purposes. However, English should be the primary language if you want Windows to use English throughout the interface.

After making the change, sign out of Windows and sign in again.

Check whether Windows menus are now displayed in English.

Step 5: Change the Regional Format to English

Sometimes Windows changes the display language but keeps the regional format set to France. This can make the computer appear partially French.

Open Settings and go to Time & language > Language & region.

Find Regional format. If it is set to French (France) or another French regional setting, open the drop-down menu.

Select the English regional format you prefer, such as English (United States) or English (United Kingdom).

The regional format affects things such as dates, times, numbers, and currency formatting. It does not always control the entire Windows display language, but changing it can help keep your language and regional preferences consistent.

After changing the setting, restart Windows and check whether the remaining French elements have disappeared.

Step 6: Check the Windows Region Setting

Another setting that can sometimes cause confusion is the Country or region setting.

Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

Find Country or region and select the region that matches the English configuration you want to use.

For example, if you selected English (United States), you can select United States as the country or region. If you use English (United Kingdom), you can select United Kingdom.

This setting is separate from the Windows display language, but keeping your language and regional configuration consistent can prevent unexpected formatting and language behavior.

Step 7: Sign Out or Restart Windows

A common reason Windows appears to ignore a language change is that the new language has not yet been applied to your current Windows session.

After making the language changes, save your work and open the Start menu.

Select your user account, then choose Sign out. Sign back into Windows after a few seconds.

If you do not see the expected changes, restart the computer instead.

Restarting is especially useful after installing a new language pack, because some Windows components do not update their language until the system starts a new session.

Once Windows starts again, open File Explorer, Settings, and the Start menu to check the language.

Step 8: Remove French Temporarily

If Windows continues using French despite all the previous changes, you can temporarily remove French from your preferred language list.

Go to Settings > Time & language > Language & region.

Under Preferred languages, find French.

Select the three-dot menu next to French and choose Remove.

Do not remove French if you still need it for typing or another purpose. If you do not need it, temporarily removing it can make it easier for Windows to identify English as your primary language.

Make sure English remains installed and selected as the Windows display language.

Sign out or restart Windows after making the change.

If Windows switches completely to English, you can add French again later if necessary.

Step 9: Check Advanced Administrative Language Settings

If your normal Windows interface is in English but certain system screens, older applications, or sign-in components continue appearing in French, you may need to check the administrative language settings.

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.

Type intl.cpl and press Enter.

The Region window will open. Select the Administrative tab.

Look for Change system locale.

If the system locale is set to French (France) and you need applications that use the system locale to operate in English, you can change it to the appropriate English locale.

Be careful with this setting. System locale is different from the Windows display language, and changing it is mainly relevant to older or legacy applications that do not properly support modern Windows language settings.

After changing it, Windows may ask you to restart the computer. Save your work and allow the restart to complete.

Step 10: Run Windows Update

If Windows continues displaying French after changing the language settings, install any pending Windows updates.

Press Windows + I to open Settings.

Select Windows Update.

Choose Check for updates and allow Windows to download and install available updates.

Restart the computer if Windows requests it.

This can help when the language pack or Windows components have not been updated correctly.

Faqs

Why is Windows still showing French after I selected English?

This usually happens because the English language pack has not finished installing, English has not been selected as the Windows display language, or Windows has not been signed out or restarted after the change.

Do I need to reinstall Windows to change French to English?

No. In most cases, you can change Windows from French to English through Language & region settings. Reinstalling Windows should not be necessary simply because the display language is stuck.

Why are some Windows menus in English while others are still in French?

Different Windows components can apply language changes at different times. An incomplete language pack installation, pending restart, or older application can cause a mixture of English and French.

Can I keep French installed while using English?

Yes. You can keep French installed for typing or other purposes while using English as the Windows display language.

Will changing the Windows language delete my files?

No. Changing the display language does not normally delete your personal files, applications, photos, or documents. However, it is always sensible to save your work before signing out or restarting Windows.

What should I do if English does not appear in the language list?

Open Settings > Time & language > Language & region, select Add a language, search for English, and install the appropriate language pack.

Why does Windows keep switching back to French?

Check the Windows display language, preferred language order, and regional format. If French remains the primary preferred language, Windows may continue using it for certain features.

Summary

When Windows is stuck in French after changing it to English, you usually do not need to reinstall the operating system. Start by checking Language & region, make sure the English language pack is installed, and select English as the Windows display language.

Next, check the preferred language order and regional format, then sign out or restart Windows. 

If French still appears in specific parts of the system, checking the administrative language settings can help identify the remaining configuration.