How to Set Different Input Language for Apps in Windows 11?

When using multiple languages in Windows 11, system uses a default language input method for all the apps by default. However, in many situations you may need to use a different language only for few apps. If you wonder how you can setup, all you need is to turn on a simple option in Windows Settings app.

Using Input Methods in Windows 11

All system settings and menu items in apps will use your Windows display language. However, the input language is the one you use for typing in applications like Word or Notepad. In below picture, highlighted text content inside yellow boxes are using system’s display language and highlighted text in red box is using input language in app. As you can see, your system’s display language is the default input (typing) language for apps.

You have two options here to use different input languages in apps:

• Set common input language for all apps which is different than the display language. For example, English is your display language but Chinese is for typing in all apps like Microsoft Word, Notepad, etc.
• Use different languages only for selected apps and use the display language for all other apps. For example, English is for display language, Chinese is for typing in Microsoft Word, German is for typing in PowerPoint and all other apps like Notepad will use English.

Note: If you want to change the default display language, go to “Time & language > Language & region” section. Click the dropdown against “Windows display language” option and select your new language from the list. Sign out and login again to see all system menu and settings are changed to new language.

Changing Default Input Language for All Apps

• Right-click on Start icon and select “Settings” from the menu.

• Go to “Time & language” section and click “Typing” option.

• Scroll down on “Typing” settings page and select “Advanced keyboard settings” option.

• Click the dropdown below “Override for default input method” and select the language from the list.

Whenever you open an app, the language bar in taskbar will automatically switch to the selected override language though your display language may be different.

Note: For adding a new language in the override list or language bar, you need to add a new keyboard layout as explained in this article.

Changing Input Language for Individual Apps

As mentioned, you can set different input language only for few apps and all other apps will use default display language.

• Go to “Settings > Time & language > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings” section.
• Check “Let me use a different input method for each app window” option under “Switching input methods” section.

• Open the app you want to change the input method and select the language from language bar on taskbar. You can also use keyboard shortcut “Windows + Spacebar” to switch the language.

• Close the app and the app will henceforth always use the set language for typing regardless of system’s display language. You will see the language bar will automatically changes when opening the app.
• You can open any other apps and set the language using the same method.

Note: You can setup a different input language for typing and proofreading only for Microsoft Office apps. This is possible as Office has an option to install language packs independently of Windows setup. Learn more on how to change language in Microsoft Office apps.

Setting Different Input Language for Apps in Windows 10

Follow the below steps to set different input language for apps if you still using Windows 10.

• Right-click on Start icon and select “Settings” menu.
• Go to “Devices > Typing > Advanced keyboard settings” section.
• Select override language to change the default input language for all apps.
• Otherwise, check “Let me use a different input method for each app window” under “Switching input methods” for using different language for different apps.
• Now, open the app and change the input method from language bar. The app will follow the selected language as default input language. You can do this for any app to change the input language for that app.