Buying a Xiaomi or RedmiBook laptop on foreign sites often comes as a pleasant surprise for a wallet, but can turn into a serious test for nerves when you first open the lid of the device. Instead of the usual interface, you see “Chinese Charter” or the Spanish version of Windows, which makes the initial setup almost impossible without understanding the logic of the characters. It is at this point that the question of how to change the language on a Xiaomi laptop becomes the most urgent and critical for the further operation of the gadget.
Fortunately, the Windows operating system, which is pre-installed on most Xiaomi Mi Notebook and RedmiBook models, has a flexible localization system that allows you to adapt the device to any user needs. The switching process can range from simply choosing an item in the menu to having to completely reinstall the language package if the desired option is not available. In this article, we will discuss all possible scenarios, including working with BIOS and system errors, so that you can work comfortably on your device.
Don’t panic if standard methods don’t work right away, as some firmware versions may have specific limitations or bugs.We have prepared step-by-step instructions for different versions of the operating system, including current security updates that may have changed the location of some settings.
Preparing for the change of language and checking the current version
Before you make changes to your system settings, make sure your laptop is connected to the Internet, as language packs require a stable connection. Without access to the WAN, you can only switch to languages that have already been pre-installed by the manufacturer or previously downloaded by the system automatically. Check the connection status through the Wi-Fi icon in the lower right corner of the screen or through the notification center.
It is also important to determine the exact version of the installed operating system, since the menu interface in Windows 10 and Windows 11 has significant visual and logical differences. To do this, you can use the Win + R keyboard combination and enter the winver command, then press Enter. The build number and OS version will appear in the window that opens, which will help you navigate further instructions if the interface is very different from the screenshots.
⚠️ Note: If your laptop is just out of the box and is in the initial setup stage (welcome screen), don’t rush to finish the process with the wrong language. It is better to find the right item immediately than to change the settings in the working system, where some applications may not adapt automatically.
It is also recommended to create a system restore point before making any global changes to the Windows configuration. This will take only a couple of minutes, but in the case of unforeseen errors or driver conflicts, you can do this by searching for “Creating a restore point” in the Start menu.
Instructions for Windows 11: a step-by-step algorithm
Windows 11, which is common on the new RedmiBook Pro and Xiaomi Notebook Pro, has an updated settings menu design, but the logic of the action remains the same. You need to open the main Start menu and select the gear icon, which stands for Settings. If the interface is entirely in a foreign language, look for the gear icon, it is universal for all localizations.
In the window on the left, select the section that is usually at the bottom of the list, and is indicated by the globe icon or the letter "A" with the language symbol. In English, this is Time & language, and in Chinese, the characters that correspond to time and language. After you go to this section, click on the first option on the top, responsible for language and region (Language & region).
☑️ Checklist before changing language
Next, search for the Preferred Languages section and click Add a language. In the list that opens, find the language you want, such as Russian or English, highlight it and click Next. In the next window, be sure to tick the box against Set as my Windows display language, so that the interface is fully localized.
Once the action is confirmed, the system will start downloading the required files, the progress bar will show the installation status. Upon completion of the process, a notification will appear that you need to log out to apply the changes. Press the corresponding button, and after re-entry, the Xiaomi laptop will be completely in Russian or any other language of your choice.
Setting up the language in Windows 10: the classic method
For owners of earlier models, such as the Xiaomi Mi Notebook Air or the base versions of RedmiBook 14, the process is often similar to Windows 10. The process here is similar, but the navigation on the menu may be slightly different. Press the Win + I key combination for quick call of options or find a gear in the Start menu. Select the Time & Language section, which usually has a watch icon.
In the left-hand column of the menu, make sure that the tab is selected "Language". In the center of the screen, find the drop-down list "Windows display language". If the desired language is not in the list, click on the link "Add a language" just below or above the list, depending on the version of the build.
| Action. | Windows 10 | Windows 11 |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance to settings | Win + I | Win + I |
| Section | Time & Language | Time & language |
| Subsection | Language | Language & region |
| Addendum | Add a language | Add a language |
| Application | Sign out now | Sign out |
Once you have installed the language pack, go back to the main language settings window and select the option installed in the drop-down list. The system will warn you that changes require rebooting or logging out of your account to take effect. Accept the action, and after a short pause, the laptop interface will change.
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If some apps (such as Microsoft Store) are left in the old language after changing the language, check their custom settings inside the application itself, as they may have their own localization priority.
Solving problems with lack of language in the list
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the list of available languages is not Russian, English or any other necessary option, this often happens on specific Windows builds designed for the domestic market of China (China Single Language version), in which case the standard procedure for adding through the settings menu can be blocked or simply not show the desired options.
To solve this problem, you can try using the command line utility. Right-click on the Start menu and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) or Command Line (Administrator). In the window that opens, type in the lpksetup command and press Enter. This will trigger the language packet installation wizard, which in some cases allows you to set the language manually if the packet file (.cab) is already downloaded to the device.
⚠️ Note: Using third-party scripts to unlock language packets on Windows Single Language versions may violate the license agreement and lead to unstable system operation.
If the built-in tools do not help, the only reliable way is to cleanly reinstall Windows from the official Microsoft website. When creating an installation stick through the Media Creation Tool, you can choose any edition and language of the system, which is guaranteed to solve the problem with the “Chinese” version of the OS on your Xiaomi.
Changing the language on the lock screen and in greeting
After changing the primary interface language, users often notice that the lock screen, login screen, and greeting remain in the same language, because these elements are protected by a separate system account profile. To fix this, open the language settings and look for the “Administrative language settings” link, which is usually located on the right side of the window or at the bottom of the list.
In the window that opens, click on the Advanced tab. At the bottom, you'll see Welcome screen and new user accounts. Click on Copy settings. In the dialog box that appears, tick the boxes against the Welcome Screen and System Accounts and New User Accounts, then click OK.
Why does the language reset after the update?
After these steps are done, all system screens, including the BIOS (if it supports Microsoft's UEFI Language Pack), should be displayed in the selected language.Reboot the laptop to make sure the changes have applied to all interface layers.
Changing the language in the BIOS/UEFI laptop Xiaomi
Some users want to change the language not only in Windows, but also in the Internet. BIOS, But there's a big technical nuance here. BIOS/UEFI On laptops, Xiaomi is hard-wired into the motherboard firmware and depends on the region for which the device was released. BIOS software is not possible if the manufacturer has not provided such an option in the settings.
You can log in to the BIOS by quickly pressing the F2 key immediately after you turn on your laptop. If you see a menu in Chinese, look for a globe icon or the letter "E" (English) in the upper or lower right corner of the screen. If the language switch is missing, then your version of the BIOS supports only one language. Attempts to reflash the BIOS version from a global device can lead to a complete failure of the laptop (brick).
However, in modern versions of UEFI integrated with Windows 10/11, the BIOS settings menu language can automatically adjust to the operating system language. If you have Russian Windows installed, but the BIOS remains in English or Chinese, this is the standard behavior for this motherboard model.
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The BIOS language on Xiaomi laptops is a hardware-dependent parameter and in 95% of cases is not subject to user change without the risk of damage to the device.