Learn how to change region on PC easily with these step-by-step instructions. Access region-specific content and adjust settings with confidence.
Sometimes Windows users need to change the region. For example, to access content that is not sold in your country. You can learn how to change the region in Windows from our guide.
Why change the region on PC?
There are several reasons why a user might consider changing the region in Windows on a PC. Let’s look at the main ones:
- Some programs, websites or online services are not available in certain countries;
- The region affects the format of dates, times, numbers and currencies. This may be useful for someone;
- Some Windows or app updates are released earlier in certain countries;
- Changing the region allows you to set the corresponding interface language by default. This can be useful when changing locations.
We will also add that gamers often change the region in Windows for the sake of a Game Pass subscription. Some games are not available in the Russian Federation. For example, EA projects.
Pros and cons of changing region
Changing the region on a PC is not always a plus. Let’s consider both the positive and negative sides of this action.
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Pros
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Cons
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| You can customize your PC to suit your needs, including language and data formats. | Some programs may stop working when you change the region if their license is tied to a specific country. |
| Some features or content may only be available in certain regions. | If configured incorrectly, you may have problems synchronizing time or launching applications. |
| Programs and games can automatically adjust to regional settings. | Some apps and services may take time to restore the region. |
How to change region on PC
Let’s look at the three most popular ways to change the region in all current versions of Windows.
Changing region via Windows settings
The easiest way to change the region is through the Windows interface.
- Press Win + I to open the settings menu;
- Go to the “Time and Language” section, select “Region”;
- In the Country or Region section, select your desired location from the drop-down list.
Changes will take effect immediately after application.
Changing the region via registry editor
This method requires caution, as incorrect registry changes can lead to unstable system operation. In some cases, to its inoperability.
- Press Win + R, type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor;
- Go to the key using the path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Nls\Region;
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- Find the GeoID parameter and double click on it;
- Enter the region code (for example, 244 for the United States, 7 for Russia). The list of codes can be found on the Microsoft website.
Close Registry Editor and restart your computer to apply the changes.
Changing the region via the Terminal
An option for those who prefer to use the command line.
- Press Win + X and select “Terminal (Admin)”;
- Check the current region using the Get-WinUILanguageOverride command;
- Set a new region: Set-WinUILanguageOverride -Language “ru-RU”. Here ru-RU is the language and region code (for example, en-US for the United States).