'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Stop Unwanted Office Language Packs from Installing
Question details
The user needs to prevent Microsoft 365 from automatically installing multiple unnecessary language packs on their computers.
- Product
- Microsoft 365
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Deploying or updating Microsoft Office across new and existing computers in an organization.
- Observed behavior
- Unwanted language packs, such as Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Taiwanese, are automatically installed alongside the default English language pack.
Ensure you have administrative access to your Microsoft 365 admin center and the permissions required to run the Office Deployment Tool on the affected devices.
Configure the Office Deployment Tool (ODT)
Use the Office Customization Tool to explicitly specify the required languages and prevent unexpected regional packs from syncing.
By default, Microsoft 365 may inherit language preferences from tenant deployment settings or Windows regional updates. Using a custom XML file via the Office Deployment Tool ensures only your explicitly defined languages are installed.
Navigate to config.office.com in your web browser and sign in with your Microsoft 365 administrator credentials to create a new configuration profile.
In the 'Language' section of your deployment configuration, select only your primary language, such as English (United States) or English (United Kingdom). Ensure no secondary languages like Korean or Chinese are checked.
Export the configuration as an XML file. On the target machine, open Command Prompt as an administrator and run the setup executable with your file using the command: setup.exe /configure configuration.xml.
Contact Microsoft Support with Diagnostic Logs
If unwanted languages continue to install despite correct ODT configurations, the issue may stem from backend tenant policies or OEM device updates.
Avoid Complex Deployment Headaches with WPS Office
If configuring XML files and managing Microsoft 365 deployment policies is becoming too complicated, consider switching to WPS Office. It offers a lightweight, single-package installation that puts you in full control of your language preferences, without bloated background updates.
- 1. Visit the WPS Website: Go to the official WPS Office website to download the latest installer.
- 2. Run the Installer: Launch the executable file and select your single preferred display language from the straightforward setup menu.
- 3. Enjoy Bloat-Free Office Apps: Start creating and editing your documents immediately without worrying about hidden regional language packs installing in the background.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Microsoft 365 install languages I never selected?
This can happen due to a combination of your Microsoft 365 global tenant settings, the default regional configurations on Windows, or specific hardware updates (like Surface device updates) triggering secondary language installations automatically.
Can I set English (Australia) as my primary Office language pack?
English (Australia) is often not available as a complete, standalone Office display language pack. You will typically need to configure your deployment tool to install English (United States) or English (United Kingdom) instead.
How do I manually remove unwanted language packs that are already installed?
You can remove them by navigating to Windows Settings > Apps > Installed apps. Search for the specific 'Microsoft Office Language Pack' (e.g., Korean or Chinese) in the list, click the three dots, and select Uninstall.
