In environments where Windows Server operates without internet access, adding a new display language requires manual installation of language packs.

This process involves downloading the necessary language pack files (e.g., .cab files) from an external source, transferring them to the server, and using tools like DISM (Deployment Imaging Service and Management Tool) to install the language pack offline.

This post provides step-by-step instructions to add a new display language to Windows Server in disconnected environments, ensuring seamless localization for users and applications.


In case Windows Server is without internet access, you will run into the following error message when trying to add a new language pack in order to change the Windows display language.

Sorry, we’re having trouble getting this Windows display language installed. You can try again later on the Language options page. Error code: 0x80004005

Add Language Packs on Demand

We first need to download the corresponding Languages and Optional Features ISO depending on your Windows Server version:


This ISO is only available on the Windows Server and combines the previously separate Features on Demand and Language Packs ISOs, and can be used as a FOD and Language pack repository. To learn about Features on Demand, see Features on Demand. To learn about adding languages, see Add Languages.

Source:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2016
https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2019
https://www.microsoft.com/en-US/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2022
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/evalcenter/evaluate-windows-server-2025


The above ISO file, we need to mount on the corresponding Windows Server version, in my case below Windows Server 2022 without Internet access we want to add a new language pack in order to change the Windows display language.

In my case I want to add the German language pack and changing the Windows display language from English to German, for whatever reason someone could want to do this 🙂 .


Then we need to add this language pack to our currently running operating system by using the DISM utility like shown below. Adjust the path for the mounted ISO to your environment.

The DISM /online /Add-Package command is used to install or add packages (such as updates, language packs, or features) to an online Windows image (i.e., the currently running operating system).

PS> Dism /online /Add-Package /PackagePath:E:\LanguagesAndOptionalFeatures\Microsoft-Windows-Server-Language-Pack_x64_de-de.cab


After the package is installed, restart your system to apply the changes. Finally we are now able to select Deutschland (Deutschland) for the Windows display language as shown below.


After changing the Windows display language we need to sign out to fully apply the new language.


Looks good!


Source: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/add-language-packs-to-windows?view=w

Links

DISM Languages and International Servicing Command-Line Options
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/dism-languages-and-international-servicing-command-line-options

Adding language packs to an image
https://learn.microsoft.com/de-de/previous-versions/windows-server/it-pro/windows-server-essentials/install/Install-or-Remove-Language-Packs

Modify a Windows image using DISM
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/mount-and-modify-a-windows-image-using-dism