How to Change the Language in Windows Live Messenger

The Windows Live Messenger program is an upgrade for the popular MSN instant messaging service. Unfortunately the Windows Live Messenger software does not currently include an option to change the default language directly from any menu screen. To use a language other than English with the software you need to first completely remove the program from your computer and then download and install a separate version with the language you want to use.

Instructions

1. From your computer's Start menu, click on "Control Panel." Scroll down through the list of Control Panel options. and double-click the "Programs and Features" button.

2. Click on the "Publisher" tab at the top of the window to arrange the list of programs installed on your computer's hard drive. Scroll down to the grouping of Microsoft software installed on your computer.

3. Click on "Windows Live Essentials." Click on "Uninstall" and wait for the program to finish uninstalling. Repeat the process for the entries labeled "Windows Live Sign-In Assistant" and "Windows Live Upload Tool."

4. Return to your web browser. Navigate to the Windows Live Messenger download page to download the most recent version of the Windows Live Messenger program. Scroll down to the blue box at the center of the window that lists the program's details.

5. Click on the drop-down button at the bottom of the blue box labeled "Change Language." Select the language that you want from the menu that appears, such as Spanish or Greek. Click on the "Change" button to change to the correct version of the software.

6. Click on the "Download" button at the top of the blue box. Open the installation file once it finishes downloading. Follow the installation instructions on the screen to install the Windows Live Messenger software with your selected language.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are using an operating system other than Windows Vista, the Control Panel icon may instead be titled "Add/Remove Programs" instead of "Programs and Features."

• You must have your web browser closed while you install the Windows Live Messenger software. If you leave the browser open, the installation may not proceed correctly, and you'll have to repeat the whole process again.

References

• Windows Live Download Instructions

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Download Windows Live Messenger