Change settings in the Regional and language options

The Regional and language options hold some very important settings for your computer. This is where you can change the language, location, date format, keyboard type, currency format, and more. For example if you have chosen the wrong location for your computer then your local time on your computer will also show up wrong.

And if you choose US English for language when you really need Australian English, then even your spell-check will be telling you to spell words according to the US dictionary. So you will be using a lot of Z’s instead of S’s. Like organize and organize.

Where are the Regional and Language options?

Its really easy to find the Regional and Language options. All you have to do is go to the start menu, choose control panel from the menu. Then browse for the Regional and Language icon and double click on it to open. The first window that appears is pictured below.

What settings can you change on the Regional and Languages formats tab?

Press on the arrow that represents the current format and choose which format you would like for your computer. I have chosen English (Australian) which will put the currency, time , numbers, and dates in a format I can understand. If you change the format you will see a preview of what data will look like using that particular format. Once you have chosen a format you can click on customize this format. Then another box with a few extra settings will appear.

What settings can you change on the Regional and Languages location tab?

On this tab you can only choose your location of where you are. Therefore if you are in Australia choose that. If you are in the US choose that..

What settings can you change on the Regional and Languages keyboards and languages tab?

On the keyboards and languages tab you can change what input language you use. This is handy if you are from a non English speaking country, however the US keyboard is pretty much the standard for most of us. In Australia we do have an Australian keyboard and therefore US is the default for us. However if you were from Bangladesh or Russia you could change the input language to suit.

To change your keyboard settings you should press the Change keyboards button.The following window will appear. To add a new option to your list press on the add button. This will give you more countries to choose from.

How to hide the Language bar from showing on your desktop.

The language bar is sometimes showing on your task bar but this is not necessary so I prefer to hide the language bar.

1. Open the regional and language options from the control panel.
2. On the first format tab click on the customize this format button.
3. The text service and input languages box will appear. See screenshot below.
4. Go to the Language bar tab.
5. Put a check next to Hidden. This will hide the language bar.
6. Press apply and ok.

Copy your Regional and Language settings to all new users on your computer or network.

1. After opening the Regional and Language options go to the Administrative tab.
2. Click on the Copy to reserved accounts button.

1. Now a small box will appear….pictured below.
2. If you check the box next to default user account, any new usernames made on the computer will adopt the same settings. This will be used as a template for future accounts.