Language change - Windows 7

Dai · 27-08-2011, 10:00

My daughter has a laptop that was supplied with Windows 7 in French. I need to do a re-install of Windows and would like to use English language on the fresh installation.

Does anyone know if this can be done with the existing OEM license key. Will Windows accept and activate when it's a different language?

TIA. Dai.

Kymmy · 27-08-2011, 10:08

Which version of Windows 7 is it as ultimate will let you change the language without re-installing.

Dai · 27-08-2011, 11:23

That would be nice but it needs a re-install as the grandson has been doing his usual random 7-year-old stuff..

And it's Home Premium.

Anonymouse · 27-08-2011, 12:51

Let me guess: there's only the one account on the laptop?

It's very very easy to prevent him changing anything significant: create a user account for him - and, indeed, for anyone who has access to the laptop. Leave one, and only one, account with administrator privileges; the only person who should know the password for it is whoever's most technically-minded - in this case, I'm guessing it'd be you. If you don't already know how to do it, there are complete instructions here - or you could of course ask Windows Help.

Doing this will also safeguard the laptop against viruses, trojans and the like, because they can't install themselves via a user account. Never browse the Internet, even on trusted sites, using an admin account, unless it's absolutely necessary. In fact, I can't think why it would be unless you're installing software via the Internet...which I wouldn't recommend anyway. Far better to download the software and do an offline installation.

/OT

What make is the laptop? There's probably a recovery partition; this can be invoked with a keystroke during the boot process, though which key is used depends on the manufacturer. You might have a problem if the recovery partition was installed in French as well, but there should be some way of doing it. I suppose the best bet would be to contact the manufacturer and ask their tech support for advice. Or try here - someone on the Annoyances site will know, surely.

Dai · 27-08-2011, 14:00

That makes a lot of sense overall, however..

The lappie is a eMachine, bought in France by the daughter. She is minimally technical and the grandson is a hyperactive and unstoppable fiddler. Since my French is of the 'schoolboy' variety and I'm the one getting called to do remote support I want to make life a little easier by renewing the installation in English.

Once I get hands-on next month when we fly out there I can do the re-installation plus a bit of tidying up and introduce some of the improvements you suggest.

In the meantime my original question still remains. Is the license valid for a installation in a different language?

Edit:
I've now found a couple of forums that suggest it can be done. But I'd still like to hear from anyone that has done this or knows for sure.

vanman · 28-08-2011, 22:26

hi.
if you go to the control panel /region and language
you will able to change it there.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/w...-and-languages
if it does not have the language pack installed you can get help here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/972813

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...oads/languages

thenry · 28-08-2011, 23:27

here you go > http://www.froggie.sk/

follow the instructions carefully. once done; follow the instructions above (posted by vanman) in region and language, set it correctly within all tabs.

Kymmy · 29-08-2011, 08:19

Problem with WIn7 (anything but Ultimate and Enterprise) is that you can only get translations for the built in language pack (LIP's) and that does not include English.

All of Vanman's links point to that fact

Dai · 29-08-2011, 09:21

Thanks to all who replied for the info and links.

I'm going to try a clean install in English first. If the French key is not accepted I can always roll back to the restore partition as plan B.

On the plus side, my remote management struggles are definitely improving my technical French skills..

Kymmy · 29-08-2011, 09:27

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/60...french-version

Kymmy · 29-08-2011, 18:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenry

here you go > http://www.froggie.sk/

follow the instructions carefully. once done; follow the instructions above (posted by vanman) in region and language, set it correctly within all tabs.

Something to be aware of

http://social.microsoft.com/Forums/i...c-181a77d2f772

Dai · 29-08-2011, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kymmy

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/60...french-version

Brill. Thanks Kymmy.

thenry · 29-08-2011, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

Brill. Thanks Kymmy.

try get hold of a build with the service pack built in. It'll run like a charm. As always, be careful.

Dai · 29-08-2011, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenry

try get hold of a build with the service pack built in. It'll run like a charm. As always, be careful.

I've got a Win7 dvd with the SP1 slipstreamed in. Did that a while back. Good thought, I'll have to remember to make a copy to take to France.