Using software in another language

If someone is using Windows in a language other than English, can they download free English software programs such as CCleaner etc? I'm thinking here that computer language is all the same whatever country you're living in? I understand that perhaps the instructions would be in English and that would be no barrier, I think. So would it work?

Thank you.

 

Yes, usually you can download foreign freeware programs and they will run fine. But that is most likely to be the case if you stick to the more well known names. RealPlayer for example.

But you will get a few unpleasant surprises here and there. I had Windows Live Mail in an English beta before it became available in my language and then I later installed Windows Live Mail in my own language. Now it's totally schizophrenic and have stored the stationary and many other things in doubles. And sometimes it can't find things.

You see I could not just delete the English version without having to move all my mail. Now I guess I'll have to.

This goes for a few online scanners also. One of them could be Filehippo's Free Update Checker. It will install essential software in English on an OS that was "born" in an other language. And your PC will freak out.

Mine did when it not only installed Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 in English but also "updated" other programs after the Windows Live Mail principle I just mentioned.

Believe me - that was not funny. I have NOT been back to check if this Filehippo ethnocentrism still prevails. :-D

But even though I have warned you here: in most cases it will be OK. I have a lot of programs in English on an OS in an other European language.

 

There is a limit to how much schizophrenia you PC can live with. It will start forgetting who it is and it's messages will pop up in English all of a sudden. If it is huge quantities of programs we are taking about you should perhaps reformat the thing and reinstall OS and all software in English only.

Microsoft also have the language packs MUI and LIP but you need to read all about them before downloading anything.

 

Thank you cordialis.

Personally, I use the English version of Windows and live in Canada.

See, I also frequent a Dutch forum which is just a talk forum and someone has problems with their internet speed. So I was thinking about suggesting to download Ccleaner and Auslogics Disk fragmenter in the English version to speed up the computer and remove the accumulated junk from the user's Dutch version computer. No, I wouldn't recommend anything "live" such as perhaps an English version of anti-virus software program. She already has Nod32 but doesn't like it.

So would you think the above CCleaner and Auslogics would work?

Thank you.

 

Well, CCleaner comes in Dutch or Nederlands as you say so that not a problem. Auslogic is not so special - why not find a similar program in Nederlands? You can find it all on Gratis Software Site. In Dutch. :-D

 

Thank you Cordialis and Halo, very, very much!!

I posted the link of the gratis software site in Dutch on that forum and also copied & pasted your answers on that forum to give it more umph. Hope you don't mind?

BTW: Cordialis, I've got now this gut feeling that you're Dutch.