If you want to use Windows Server 2016 in a different language than the one you installed, you can download and install language packs that provide a fully translated version of Windows dialog boxes, menu items, and help content. In this article, you will learn what language packs are, why you might need them, and how to download and install them in Windows Server 2016.
Language packs are optional features that you can add to Windows Server 2016 to support a specific language. They contain language-specific resources such as text strings, fonts, keyboards, and locales. By installing a language pack, you can change the display language of Windows Server 2016 without having to reinstall or reformat your computer.
You might need language packs if you work in a multilingual environment, if you want to provide support for multiple languages in your organization, or if you just prefer to use Windows Server 2016 in your native language. Language packs can also help you comply with local regulations and standards.
One way to download language packs for Windows Server 2016 is through Windows Update. This method is convenient and easy, but it might not offer all the languages that are available for your edition of Windows Server 2016. Here are the steps to follow:
To see which languages are available for your edition of Windows Server 2016, go to [this page](^2^) on Microsoft Learn. Scroll down to find the table that lists the supported language packs for Windows desktop editions and Windows Server. The languages that have "Windows Update" listed in the right column are the ones that you can download from Windows Update.
To select the language pack you want to install, open the Settings app and go to Update & Security > Windows Update. Click on Check for updates and wait for Windows Update to scan for available updates. If there are any language packs available, they will appear under Optional updates. Click on View optional updates and then expand the Language packs section. Check the box next to the language pack you want to install and then click on Download and install.
After you click on Download and install, Windows Update will start downloading and installing the selected language pack. This might take some time depending on your internet speed and system performance. You can monitor the progress of the download and installation process on the Settings app. When the process is complete, you will see a notification that says "Your device is up to date".
Another way to download language packs for Windows Server 2016 is from Microsoft Learn. This method gives you access to all the languages that are supported for Windows Server 2016, regardless of your edition. However, this method requires you to manually download and install the language pack files. Here are the steps to follow:
To find the supported language packs for Windows Server 2016, go to [this page] on Microsoft Learn. Scroll down to find the table that lists the supported language packs for Windows desktop editions and Windows Server. The languages that have "Microsoft Learn" listed in the right column are the ones that you can download from Microsoft Learn.
To choose the language pack you want to download, click on the link that corresponds to the language code of the language pack. For example, if you want to download the French language pack, click on "fr-FR". This will take you to a page where you can download the language pack file. The file name will have the format "lp_.cab". For example, the French language pack file name is "lp_fr-FR.cab". Click on the Download button and save the file to your computer.
After you click on the Download button, you will see a dialog box that asks you where you want to save the file. Choose a location that is easy to access, such as your desktop or your downloads folder. Make sure you remember the location and the file name of the language pack file, as you will need them later when you install the language pack.
If you want to install language packs to a Windows image or a Windows distribution, you will need to use some advanced tools and commands. This method is useful if you want to create a customized Windows installation media that includes multiple languages, or if you want to deploy Windows Server 2016 with a specific language to multiple devices. Here are the steps to follow:
To install language packs to a Windows image or a Windows distribution, you will need to have access to the source files of Windows Server 2016. You can either mount a Windows image file (such as an ISO file or a WIM file) using a tool like [DISM] or [PowerShell], or copy the contents of a Windows installation media (such as a DVD or a USB drive) to a folder on your computer.
To add the language pack to the Windows image or the Windows distribution, you will need to use a command-line tool called [DISM] (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) or an XML file called an [unattended answer file]. Both methods allow you to specify which language pack you want to add and where you want to add it. For detailed instructions on how to use DISM or an unattended answer file, refer to [this article] on Microsoft Docs.
After you add the language pack, you will need to unmount the Windows image or apply the changes to the Windows distribution. This will finalize the installation of the language pack and make it available for use. To unmount the Windows image, use the DISM or PowerShell command that corresponds to the tool you used to mount the image. To apply the changes to the Windows distribution, use the DISM command with the /Apply-Image option. For more information on how to unmount a Windows image or apply changes to a Windows distribution, refer to [this article] on Microsoft Docs.
After you install a language pack, you can change the display language of Windows Server 2016 to match the language pack. This will affect the language of the user interface, the keyboard layout, and the regional settings. Here are the steps to follow:
To open the Settings app, click on the Start button and then click on the gear icon. Alternatively, you can press Windows + I on your keyboard. In the Settings app, click on Time & Language.
In the Time & Language section, click on Language in the left pane. You will see a list of languages that are installed on your computer. To select a language as the default, click on it and then click on Set as default. You will see a check mark next to the language that indicates that it is the default language.
To apply the changes, you will need to sign out and sign in again to your account. You can do this by clicking on your account name in the Start menu and then clicking on Sign out. Then, sign in again with your credentials. You will see that Windows Server 2016 is now using the language that you selected as the default.
In this article, you learned how to download and install language packs in Windows Server 2016. You also learned how to change the display language of Windows Server 2016 after installing a language pack. By using language packs, you can customize your Windows Server 2016 experience and make it more suitable for your needs and preferences.
Here are some frequently asked questions about language packs in Windows Server 2016:
A: According to Microsoft Learn, Windows Server 2016 supports 38 languages in total. However, not all languages are available for all editions of Windows Server 2016. To see which languages are available for your edition of Windows Server 2016, refer to [this page] on Microsoft Learn.
A: To remove a language pack from Windows Server 2016, open the Settings app and go to Time & Language > Language. Click on the language that you want to remove and then click on Remove. You will see a confirmation message that asks you if you want to remove the language pack. Click on Yes to confirm. The language pack will be removed from your computer.
A: To switch between languages in Windows Server 2016, you can use the language bar that appears on the taskbar. Click on the language icon and then select the language that you want to use. Alternatively, you can use the keyboard shortcut Windows + Space to cycle through the available languages.
A: To check the version and build number of a language pack in Windows Server 2016, you can use the DISM command with the /Get-Packages option. This will display a list of all the packages that are installed on your computer, including the language packs. You can look for the package name that starts with "Microsoft-Windows-Client-LanguagePack-Package" and ends with the language code of the language pack. The version and build number will be shown under the Package Identity column.
A: If you encounter any problems with language packs in Windows Server 2016, such as missing text, incorrect fonts, or corrupted files, you can try some of these solutions: