To be able to change the input language on Server Core’s Welcome Screen with ALT + SHIFT you first will need to install the the input method of your preferred language.
Open a remote Power Shell session from another server so you can log in with your preferred language layout. You can also log in directly to the server using the server core’s default language layout.
In case you log in directly type powershell into the CMD window.
Check the WinUserLanguageList for installed languages:
$UserLangList
The Get-WinUserLanguageList cmdlet returns language settings regarding input method, spelling, and text prediction. Accordingly, this example shows a Server 2019 Core with only the default language installed:
Change the input language by adding your preferred layout to the list:
You can find a list of language codes here: List of Language Codes
Find the relevant Syntax in the BCP 47 Code column.
In our example, we will add German as an additional input method.
As a result, one will be able to change the input language to German already at the login screen as well.
Set-WinUserLanguageList -LanguageList $UserLangList
Check the WinUserLanguageList again:
The output will show the additional input language:
From this point, you will be able to change your keyboard language with ALT + SHIFT
Remove input language from the language list:
Just in case it is needed you can remove a language as follows …
First, you will need the position of the language you want to remove:
Bear in mind that the first language is position 0 and hence the second language is position 1!
Remove the language by pointing to the appropriate [position number]:
Set-WinUserLanguageList -LanguageList $UserLangList
Verify that the language has been removed:
The German input method has been removed from the WinUserLanguageList.
Enjoy your day and stay safe.
