[Coreldan]

So, now that the first Surfaces start landing, I have a question to the users! Can you see if there is any apparent way to change the language of the operating system? I'm considering of getting one from germany, but I'd need to be sure I can change the language to english.. Also can keyboard layout be changed?

The customer support at MS US told me that at least US version cant change language to any other than english, but perhaps the german version that probably is in german can be changed to english instead? Germany is a very multicultural place after all nowadays.

I believe full versions of previous Windows (and 8 too) offer it at the first bootup, but it's often a thing that you cant change afterwards IMO?

[mzetko]

Hi,

I ordered the Surface RT from Germany, too; and it should be no problem – changing language is supported (see Windows 8 language packs are available and Will Windows RT allow you to change the lanuages? - Microsoft Community ).

I think this is enough evidence that it is ok, but will confirm after my arrives ;-) .

[Coreldan]

Thanks for the link, but not quite assuring enough yet :D I'll wait anxiously for your answer! :D

Dont quite wanna wait till early'ish 2013.. Finland is always last in line :P

[mzetko]

Thanks for the link, but not quite assuring enough yet :D I'll wait anxiously for your answer! :D

Dont quite wanna wait till early'ish 2013.. Finland is always last in line :P

Languages in Windows 8 and Windows RT - Microsoft Windows - another piece to support this ;-) .

[Coreldan]

Well thats a bit reassuring, but I'll just wait for the confirmation in action :D When is expected delivery for you? :D

Also, if you can test that the language change actually does work, can you also check that fe. the Office changed languages properly?

[Coreldan]

Has anyone actually from EU done this yet?

[Narr]

Has anyone actually from EU done this yet?

The EU orders haven't shipped yet, obviously it will depend if Finnish is one of the supported languages as well ;)

[Coreldan]

I dont care if I can have it in Finnish, I'm pretty much fluent in English :P

Sure, would be a bonus, but I'm gonna be 100% satisfied to have the german Surface in English :D

Anyways, cheers for the heads up that they werent shipped yet. I also emailed MS Finland, as they said after 26th they might have more info on local availability, so not gonna order just yet anyways.

[Coreldan]

Any input from the lucky bastards in UK? Probably not, seeing that the OS is already in english and apparently the US version cant change away from english either, but oh well, bumping at the same time :D

MS Finland replied to my email yesterday saying they still dont have a clue about Surface availability in Finland.

[Justinus Maximus]

I hope you know the German surface comes with another keyboard? They don't use QWERTY but QWERTZ

I ordered mine from the UK today. When I receive one, I'll keep you posted for the language change.

[Coreldan]

And UK keyboard doesnt have Ä or Ö.. And at least MSUK store says that they dont ship outside UK.

Well, God damnit.. So now I cant get one from Germany either.

I have zero use for a productivity tool that cant handle my own language. Ä and Ö are far too common to be ignored. I believe you can change the keyboard layout software side, but then you'll be hitting keys that actually put out different letters :P

Well, I guess no Surface for me until they land to Finland, which is probably sometime next year...

As said, I would suffice with english software just fine, it's the needed keys (mainly ä and ö) I'm after. Then again, I'm also sufficient enough on typing without looking at the keys, so its not like the key actually has to say Ö for me to find it :D

But I guess if I'm still gonna be hitting keys that put out different letters, I might as well take the german keyboard and have Y and Z switched. Ä and Ö are in the same places in finnish keyboards and both are more common in finnish than Z or Y. But at least the UK one would sure be in english.. then again MS UK still claims they dont ship outside UK.

[qhorse82]

Hi there,

I'm having the same question. I live in Switzerland and am craving for the RT. I believe I will order it from Germany as the keyboard is almost similar (we use a different sort of qwertz) but want to be absolutely sure I can change the system language...
Has anyone tried it?

Thanks!

[ilfranzoso]

Hi there,

I'm having the same question. I live in Switzerland and am craving for the RT. I believe I will order it from Germany as the keyboard is almost similar (we use a different sort of qwertz) but want to be absolutely sure I can change the system language...
Has anyone tried it?

Thanks!

Yesterday i have a live chat, Microsoft assure me that Surface is multilanguage.

[qhorse82]

Brilliant !
I may just go for it then :)

[Coreldan]

Brilliant !
I may just go for it then :)

I'm still stubborn and wait for hands on experience from german people that this is possible. I had a US rep tell me that Surface RT is locked to english and can't be changed.

[ATomiH]

I'm still stubborn and wait for hands on experience from german people that this is possible. I had a US rep tell me that Surface RT is locked to english and can't be changed.

Ordered mine from Germany. When booted for the first time, it asks for which language to use, germany, english or france. Havent yet tried to change to finnish. Finnish keyboard layout is also available.

So, time to order then :)

[VagrantWade]

Seriously asking if a Windows OS supports multiple languages? Seriously?

[Coreldan]

Seriously asking if a Windows OS supports multiple languages? Seriously?

The MS US rep told me that the US Surface only has english and it can't be changed.

That said, this has appeared recenetly'ish on the German MS store: Die folgenden Sprachen since auf diesem Surface verfuegbar: Englisch, Franzoesisch, Deutsch.

Basically says that it supports English, French and German, so I'm now 600€ poorer :D But having those three languages, while "multiple language" isnt exactly the selection of languages your usual Windows OS comes with.

I rather not take chances with 600€ as a university student dealing with a foreign store (which means that even returning the product will likely cost me in postages).

[qhorse82]

Ordered mine from Germany. When booted for the first time, it asks for which language to use, germany, english or france. Havent yet tried to change to finnish. Finnish keyboard layout is also available.

So, time to order then :)

Very good news indeed :)

Can't wait for mine to be delivered !!

[Coreldan]

Now just a 3 week wait, barring any other delays :P

Then also to hope mine is defect free, I dont mind defects per se cos you can easily switch the product to a new one, however having to mail it back to Germany is a bit too much work and might cost me in postages too, not to mention dealing with them when they apparently refuse to speak english at Customer Service might get hard :D

[Coreldan]

So when are the first germans supposed to get theirs?

[rich4A1]

The customer support at MS US told me that at least US version cant change language to any other than english, but perhaps the german version that probably is in german can be changed to english instead? Germany is a very multicultural place after all nowadays.

I have no idea why you were told that. I successfully changed mine, which was bought at Microsoft Store at Bridgewater, NJ, into Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong). You need to install a language pack though, and my preferred Traditional Chinese (Taiwan) was not available for download for some odd reasons.

[rich4A1]

The MS US rep told me that the US Surface only has english and it can't be changed.

This is even odder since one of the first screens I saw on my Surface, while still in the Microsoft Store to set it up, was to select the language, which you can choose from English, French, Spanish, etc.

[rich4A1]

Guys, I don't know why MS US rep are telling people otherwise, but you CAN change the operating language of a Surface bought in US, as long as a language pack is available. A reboot is needed after the switch. As I stated earlier, I HAVE changed mine into Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong SAR). Even if a language pack i not available, you can still add the keyboard setting of numerous languages to your US bought Surface. You can't, however, get other language touch/type cover in US, I think. But your touch cover will work with other language keyboard setting, just not having those things printed on the cover itself.

[Coreldan]

This is even odder since one of the first screens I saw on my Surface, while still in the Microsoft Store to set it up, was to select the language, which you can choose from English, French, Spanish, etc.

I found it extremely weird, but just goes to prove how CS usually doesnt know squat.. He said he'll go take a look, so he probably went to like an already started up surface, checked the options and failed to find the option to change OS language or something :D

But until now that was the only official confirmation I had so I rather played it safe.

My Surface has been already ordered, so this thread is sorta lock-tastic already, but I'm still interested in knowing if the germans who bought Surfaces as soon as the option went up have any idea when are they getting theirs?