Fix: Cannot remove a language in Windows 11

Have you ever tried to change the language on your Windows 11 computer and hit a roadblock? Some folks are finding it tricky to remove a language they don’t need. It can be annoying, especially if you want things in a language you understand. In this article, we’re going to figure out why this happens and, more importantly, how to fix cannot remove a language in Windows 11 issue step by step.

Fix: Cannot remove a language in Windows 11

The difficulty in removing a language in Windows 11 can arise due to various reasons, such as:

1. Incomplete or Corrupted Language Packs: Partially installed or corrupted language packs can hinder the removal process. Inconsistent installations may trigger conflicts when attempting to remove a language.
2. System Dependencies: Certain language components might be interlinked with system functions. Dependencies can restrict the removal of a language to maintain system stability.
3. User Account Permissions: System restrictions or user account settings may limit language management options.
4. Software Glitches or Bugs: Windows 11, like any software, may have occasional glitches or bugs affecting language management. Software updates or patches may address these issues and improve language removal functionality.
5. Security Measures: Security features might restrict language modifications to prevent unauthorized changes.

Now, we will provide a solution to overcome them, ensuring a smoother language management experience on Windows 11.

Method 1: Using Windows PowerShell

You can resolve the issue using a PowerShell command. PowerShell offers a more advanced and direct approach to managing language settings.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Open the Windows PowerShell and run as administrator.

2. Copy and paste the below command:

Get-WinUserLanguageList

Press Enter.

Here, note the language tag that you want to remove.

3. Now, copy and paste the below command and press Enter:

$LangList = Get-WinUserLanguageList
$MarkedLang = $LangList | where LanguageTag -eq "<languagecode>"
$LangList.Remove($MarkedLang)
Set-WinUserLanguageList $LangList -Force

Replace the <languagecode> with the language tag you want to remove.

For example, en-IN for English (India) and en-US for the United States

Method 2: Using Settings App

If the previous method doesn’t solve the issue, you can try an alternative and straightforward approach by using the Settings app. This method provides an alternative route to manage and remove languages on your Windows 11 system.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Open the Settings App and go to “Time & language“.

2. Now, click on “Language & region“.

3. Under “Preferred Language”, lower the language order to the bottom.

To do so, click “...” and select “Move down“.

4. Now, restart your PC.

5. After restarting the PC, navigate to Settings => Time & language => Language & region.

6. Find the language that you don’t want on your PC. Click “…” and select “Remove” to remove the unwanted language.

Note: The last keyboard for a language and the default input method can’t be removed. The default input method is based on the order of the language list in Settings.

That’s It!