How to Remove Unwanted Languages from the Language Bar in Windows 10

Learn how to remove unwanted languages from the language bar in Windows 10, which may appear after installing updates or language packs.

If you have ever installed a language pack or an update on your Windows 10 PC, you may have noticed that some extra languages appear in the language bar. These languages may not be the ones you use or want, and they can clutter your language bar and make it harder to switch between your preferred languages. In this article, we will show you how to remove unwanted languages from the language bar in Windows 10, using different methods and troubleshooting steps.

Method 1: Remove the Language from the Settings App

The first method to remove unwanted languages from the language bar is to use the Settings app. This is the easiest and most straightforward way, but it may not work for some languages that are added by updates or language packs. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, go to Time & language from the navigation pane, and click on Language and region.
2. In the Preferred languages section, you will see a list of all the languages that are installed on your PC. Click the ellipsis next to the language you want to delete, and select Remove from the flyout menu.
3. Click Yes in the confirmation prompt that appears. The language will be removed from the list and the language bar.
4. Repeat the same steps for any other unwanted languages that you want to remove.

Method 2: Remove the Language from the Control Panel

The second method to remove unwanted languages from the language bar is to use the Control Panel. This method may work for some languages that are not removable from the Settings app, but it may also require some additional steps. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, click on Clock and Region, and then click on Region.
3. In the Region window, click on the Administrative tab, and then click on the Copy settings button under the Welcome screen and new user accounts section.
4. In the Copy settings window, you will see two sections: Current user and Welcome screen and system accounts. Under each section, you will see a list of languages that are applied to the user interface, input methods, and formats. Uncheck any unwanted languages that you see under either section, and click OK.
5. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect. The unwanted languages should be removed from the language bar.

Method 3: Remove the Language from the Registry Editor

The third method to remove unwanted languages from the language bar is to use the Registry Editor. This method is more advanced and risky, and it should only be used as a last resort if the other methods fail. You should also back up your registry before making any changes, as any mistake can cause serious problems for your system. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following key: HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Keyboard Layout\Preload
3. In the right pane, you will see a list of values that correspond to the languages that are loaded on the system. Each value has a name that is a number, and a data that is a hexadecimal code for the language. For example, the value name 1 and the data 00000409 correspond to the English (United States) language.
4. To remove an unwanted language, right-click on the value that corresponds to that language, and select Delete. Confirm the deletion by clicking Yes.
5. Repeat the same steps for any other unwanted languages that you want to remove.
6. Restart your PC for the changes to take effect. The unwanted languages should be removed from the language bar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: Why do unwanted languages appear in the language bar in Windows 10?

Answer: Unwanted languages may appear in the language bar in Windows 10 due to various reasons, such as installing updates, language packs, or applications that add languages to the system. Sometimes, these languages are not removable from the Settings app or the Control Panel, and they may require more advanced methods to remove them.

Question: How do I switch between languages in the language bar in Windows 10?

Answer: To switch between languages in the language bar in Windows 10, you can use the mouse or the keyboard. To use the mouse, click on the language icon in the taskbar, and select the language you want to use from the flyout menu. To use the keyboard, press Windows + Space to cycle through the available languages, or press Alt + Shift to switch between the current language and the previous one.

Question: How do I add a new language to the language bar in Windows 10?

Answer: To add a new language to the language bar in Windows 10, you can use the Settings app or the Control Panel. To use the Settings app, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, go to Time & language from the navigation pane, and click on Language and region.
2. In the Preferred languages section, click on the Add a language button, and search for the language you want to add. Select the language from the results, and click Next.
3. In the next window, check the boxes for the features you want to install for the language, such as the language pack, the handwriting recognition, or the speech recognition. Click Install to download and install the language.
4. The language will be added to the list and the language bar. You can also change the display language or the default input method for the language by clicking on the ellipsis next to the language, and selecting the appropriate options from the flyout menu.

To use the Control Panel, follow these steps:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type control and press Enter to open the Control Panel.
2. In the Control Panel, click on Clock and Region, and then click on Language.
3. In the Language window, click on the Add a language button, and select the language you want to add from the list. Click Open to add the language to the list.
4. The language will be added to the list and the language bar. You can also change the display language or the input method for the language by clicking on the Options link next to the language, and selecting the appropriate options from the next window.

Summary

In this article, we have shown you how to remove unwanted languages from the language bar in Windows 10, using different methods and troubleshooting steps. We hope that this article has helped you to solve your problem and improve your user experience. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. The author and the website are not liable for any damages or losses that may result from following the instructions or using the tools mentioned in this article. Always back up your data and registry before making any changes to your system, and use caution when modifying the registry.