Can't set Windows 8.1 to use a UK Keyboard and English (United Kingdom) as Language Preference

Anonymous
2013-10-20T14:43:22+00:00

Downloaded and installed the UK (English) Language Pack. Can't set Windows 8.1 to use a UK Keyboard. Try to change Languages Preferences to English (United Kingdom)  - and 8.1 won't let you. Try to remove English (United States) and 8.1 won't let you. English (United States) keeps coming back.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2013-11-13T17:18:56+00:00

I was getting this problem. On one of my accounts it appeared to be using the keyboard set to US English. No amount of changing settings to set it use the UK English keyboard layout worked. If I tried Windows Key + Space nothing happened happened - no selections appeared for choosing the desired keyboard. There was no language icon on the taskbar.

I added the UK English language pack and set the preferred language to UK English via Control Panel, Then via the Charms settings/PC Settings/Change PC Settings/Time and Language/Region and Language.

Selected 'Options' for UK English and Added the UK Extended Keyboard.

After that I could use Windows Key + Space to select the UK keyboard.

To be honest, I have no idea why that worked or which was the critical step. The other account on the PC did not of this problem. I assume I must have missed something when setting the new account.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-10-21T07:23:04+00:00

    Hi Ian,

    Thanks for contacting Microsoft community.

    It would help to understand the issue if you could let us know any error code or message that gets displayed when it does not let you make the change?

    I would suggest that you refer this link and follow the steps from the article.

    Add a language or keyboard

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-in/windows-8/using-multiple-languages

    Please let us know the status of the issue after you have tried the steps.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-21T07:49:34+00:00

    There is no Error Code. Problem repeats - and is straightforward to describe....

    Time andlLanguage\Region and language\Languages

    Languages are...

    English (United Kingdom)

    English (United States)

    if you Remove "English(United States)" it disappears - but the next time you Log On it comes back and the Keyboard reverts to US English

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-21T14:31:25+00:00

    Hi Vinod,

    I have the same problem. i downloaded windows update in English. Unfortunately, since i currently reside in Poland the windows downloaded it in Polish.

    I am having the same struggle like Ian to change it to English. your link does not much help cos there is no option for me to change the language.

    Help needed microsoft!

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T10:48:50+00:00

    Same issue Ian & your description is spot-on for the Microsoft representative and the rest of us. Hope they can sort this soon for us UK early adopters?

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