Windows 10: When Windows is not activated, reinstall Windows in another language

I bought a laptop in Japan,The original factory default is the Japanese version of Windows 11, but I don’t understand Japanese.If I have NOT ACTIVATED the Japanese version of Windows 11 and , use the Windows 11 CD/USB to install the English version of Windows 11, can I still activate it after the English version of Windows 11 is installed?Off topic, if I replace the entire harddisk and install the English version by myself, will it have any impact on activating Windows?

:)

 

Windows 8.1 update changed the language, can't change back

Maybe, these will help... it seems it is a common enough problem.

Language packs are no longer available after you upgrade to Windows 8.1

And, sort of the same here --> Add a language or keyboard

Quote from above MS web page:

Spoiler Download and install language packs
You'll need to download the language pack if you want to make a language your Windows display language (that's the language you see most often in Windows and apps).

• Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
  (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
• Tap or click Time and language, and then tap or click Region and language.
• Tap or click a language that says Language pack available underneath, and then tap or click Options.
• Tap or click Download. The download process might take a while, depending on your PC and the size of the language pack.
  If you want to make this your display language, see the next section "Change your Windows display language".

Change your Windows display language
To change your Windows display language (that's the language you see most often in Windows and apps), first add a language, download and install the language pack, and then follow these steps.

• Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
  (If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.)
• Tap or click Time and language, and then tap or click Region and language.
• Tap or click the language that you want to set as your display language.
• Tap or click Set as primary to move the language to the top of the list. If the language can become your Windows display language, you'll see Will be display language after next sign-in appear under the language.
• Sign out and then sign back in to finish.

And here is some more info --> Add Language Packs to Windows

 

Windows 7 Language Pack

That is pretty much it.
MUI packs are only available in the entreprise or ultimate editions of windows 7 (and windows vista).



Your best option is to get a windows copy with your native language and reinstall.

EDIT: Oh, and all versions of windows 8 have MUI packs.

 

Windows 7 not genuine problem

It seems like that's an OEM windows copy, it will do that the every time you reinstall the OS. If you have the key, next time you see the "not genuine windows copy" click it and choose to activate by phone, everything else is pretty straight forward as it explains step-by-step. If it doesn't work, then its highly likely that you got a Pirate copy.