Add and Remove Language Packs on a Running Windows Installation

Applies To: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2

You can add support for additional languages on a running operating system, or to an offline image. For information about how to install languages to an offline image, see Add and Remove Language Packs Offline Using DISM.

For information about installing Language Interface Packs (LIPs), see Add Language Interface Packs to Windows.

In Windows® 8, end users can use the Language page in the Control Panel to download and install additional language packs and Language Interface Packs (LIPs) from Windows Update.

Add a Language Pack Online

When you add language packs using DISM, the licensing requirements of how many language packs are allowed to run on the Windows edition are not verified. If you add multiple language packs, all non-default, non-user selected languages will be removed from the computer after a period of time. For more information, see Add Language Packs to Windows.

Note

You can also add language packs to Windows Preinstallation and Windows Recovery installations. For more information, see WinPE: Mount and Customize and Customize Windows RE.

To add a language pack by using DISM

  1. On the running operating system, open an elevated command-line prompt.

  2. Type the following command to add a language pack to the operating system.

    Dism /online /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\test\LangPacks\lp.cab
    

For more information about DISM international servicing commands, see DISM Languages and International Servicing Command-Line Options

See Also

Concepts

Understanding Servicing Strategies
Add Language Packs to Windows

Other Resources

Service a Windows Image Using DISM