Download Unofficial Windows 8 Language Packs

Martin Brinkmann
Nov 12, 2011
Updated • Mar 11, 2013
Windows, Windows tips
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10

One of the issues that users from all over the world may have experienced with the recently released Windows 8 Developer Preview is that the interface language of the operating system was only available in English. Big problem for users who want to try the release but do not speak English at all, or those who want to test the release in another language.

Microsoft has not made available language packs for the release, at least none that are publicly available. A fan project has started to create unofficial language packs for the Windows 8 operating system. Available at the time of writing are French, Spanish and Italian language packs for both the 32-bit and 64-bit edition of the Windows 8 Developer Preview.

While it is unlikely that the installation of language packs causes issues on the system, it is not recommended to install the language packs in a productive environment without prior testing.

The language packs are installed with the help of the WDP Universal Language Installer linked on the development website. Users furthermore need to download the language packs and use the Universal Language Installer application to install them on their Windows 8 installation.

windows 8 language packs

Run the language pack installer software first and pick the language that you want to install. Make sure it fits the version of the operating system (32-bit language packs for 32-bit systems, and 64-bit packs for 64-bit systems). A reboot is required to complete the installation.

The developers have converted the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 language packs to Windows 8 packs. It is likely that part of the Windows 8 interface, especially new interface elements and menus, are not completely translated.

It is likely that the developers will add additional language packs, e.g. German, in the coming days.

When can you expect official language packs or Windows 8 localized downloads? If Microsoft copies the development phases of Windows 7 language packs will become available with the Windows 8 Release Candidate which is expected to be released in mid 2012. (via)

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Comments

  1. Midnight said on November 12, 2011 at 4:01 pm
    Reply

    Considering that Windows 8 is Unofficial, stands to reason that the Language pack would also be Unofficial! :)

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