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JIlou2's avatar
JIlou2
Copper Contributor
Aug 18, 2026

Changing the language of Windows 11 IoT Entreprise LTSC

Hello, I'm currently using W11 IoT LTSC and I would like to change the language to French.   I found this method with powershell on Reddit and wanted to know if it was enough to TOTALLY change the ...
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Jason_M's avatar
Jason_M
Brass Contributor
Aug 19, 2026

That script can change most of Windows to French, but it cannot guarantee that every part of an English-based Windows installation becomes French. The display language, regional format, system locale and welcome screen are separate settings, while Windows Recovery, Setup and some servicing components may continue using the original installation language.

The main problem with the posted script is -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue, because it hides any language-pack installation failure. Use an elevated PowerShell window and apply the settings in stages:

  1. Install the French language pack and copy it to the device settings:

Install-Language fr-FR -CopyToSettings

Wait for this command to finish successfully before continuing.

      2.Set French as the system and current-user language:

Set-SystemPreferredUILanguage fr-FR
Set-WinUILanguageOverride -Language fr-FR
Set-WinSystemLocale fr-FR Set-Culture fr-FR
Set-WinHomeLocation -GeoId 84
$LanguageList = New-WinUserLanguageList fr-FR
Set-WinUserLanguageList $LanguageList -Force

      3.Copy the current settings to the sign-in screen and newly created user accounts:

Copy-UserInternationalSettingsToSystem -WelcomeScreen $true -NewUser $true
Restart-Computer

      4.After restarting, verify that the language was actually installed and selected:

Get-InstalledLanguage
Get-SystemPreferredUILanguage
Get-WinUILanguageOverride

If fr-FR is not shown correctly, the language package may have been blocked by WSUS, an optional-content policy or a missing language source. In an offline or managed environment, install the French language pack and Features on Demand from media that exactly matches the installed LTSC release.

Some English text can still remain in third-party programs, older Windows components, recovery tools or applications that use their own language packages. If the requirement is a completely French base installation, including Setup and recovery environments, the reliable solution is to reinstall or deploy Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC using official French installation media. An added language pack changes the user interface but does not replace the original base language of the image.