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Installing language packs fails

Do you need an alternative language for the operating system on a Windows based computer, but the installation failed?

The following steps might help:

  1. Click on the Windows icon at the bottom left of your screen. Type "cmd.exe" in the search bar, then right-click on cmd.exe in the suggestion list and click on Run as administrator.
  2. In the opened command prompt shell, enter the following commands one after another.
    Execute each command individually by pressing Enter and wait for the response before proceeding.
    net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver
    ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
    ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
    net start wuauserv
    net start cryptSvc
    net start bits
    net start msiserver
    wuauclt /resetauthorization
    wuauclt /detectnow
  3. After entering the command string, try again and install the language pack. If it still fails, enter the following additional commands. Also execute these individually by pressing Enter and wait for feedback in each case:
    wuauclt /resetauthorization
    wuauclt /detectnow

It may be necessary to restart the computer to apply the changes.