Forum Discussion
Multi-Language Custom Windows 11 Image
Hi,
I am trying to create a custom Windows 11 Image. I followed this page for most of my customizations :
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/oem-deployment-of-windows-desktop-editions?view=windows-11
Almost everything works fine in my online and offline modifications (adding drivers, custom apps, default settings, recovery, etc.). The only thing I haven't manage to achieve is adding multiple languages to a custom image.
What I do is :
- Make offline modifications using DISM on my tech PC.
- Apply this image to a SSD using WinPE.
- Boot into that SSD and make online modifications using audit mode. (Generalize these modifications using sysprep)
- Boot into WinPE again and capture that image.
When I apply that final captured image and boot into OOBE, when I switch between languages, the UI does not update. It stays in the default language. I have seen it works on many Dell PCs, but nothing seems to work on my side.
Do you have any insights on what I could be doing wrong? Is there missing information in the doc I linked above?
I tried adding the languages in the offline step, after the final capture, but the result is always the same.
Thank you,
Antoine
3 Replies
If you don't add all the necessary language components, the UI may not fully translate. At a minimum, you need to add the Basic and OCR capabilities for each language. For languages that require it, you should also add Handwriting, TextToSpeech, and Speech.
The image appears to contain the language packs, but OOBE cannot switch the Windows UI away from the default language. That usually points to incomplete language components, mismatched media, or servicing order rather than Sysprep itself. Start again from an unmodified Windows 11 WIM and use the Languages and Optional Features ISO that exactly matches the image release, architecture, and build. Add each language-pack CAB first, then add its Basic, OCR, handwriting, speech, and text-to-speech capabilities with DISM Add-Capability. Verify them with Get-Packages, Get-Capabilities, and Get-Intl. Apply or reapply the latest cumulative update only after all language packs and Features on Demand are present, because Microsoft requires that order. Use Set-AllIntl only for the intended default; let OOBE set the user’s preferred UI language. Add matching languages to WinRE and Windows Setup if required. Finally run Sysprep /generalize /oobe /shutdown, capture, deploy, and test before adding audit-mode customizations.
I found an FOD iso file in one of Microsoft posts, but it might not be the right version. Is it publicly available for everybody?
If so, do you happen to have the link to it by any chance?
