How to Change Language on Photoshop CS5
Changing the interface of Photoshop CS5 to another language normally requires the installation of a language pack from the Adobe website. The language packs are free, but only if you downloaded Photoshop from the Adobe website. If you obtained the program from another source, you can't switch to a foreign language without purchasing another copy of Photoshop. However, if you have a foreign-language version of Photoshop CS5, you may be able to change the menus to English by disabling the language data file.
Install Language Pack
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1.
Close Photoshop and then download and install the latest version of the Adobe Application Manager (links in Resources).
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2.
Launch the Application Manager and then sign in to Creative Cloud using the same Adobe ID you used to purchase Photoshop.
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3.
Select the "Apps" tab to view a list of your purchases. Photoshop CS5 should appear on the list of installed applications with the word "Installed" next to it.
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Click the gear icon and select "Settings" to open the Preferences window.
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Click the "Apps" tab and change the "App Language" setting to your preferred language.
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Close the Preferences window. The listing for Photoshop should now have an "Install" link next to it. If you don't see the link, restart the Application Manager to refresh the view.
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Click the link to install the new language pack to your computer.
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8.
Launch Photoshop after the install finishes. The program will open using your operating system's default language.
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9.
Click the "Edit" menu and select "Preferences" to access Photoshop's appearance settings. Change the "UI Language" setting to your preferred language and click "OK."
Change Menus to English
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1.
Close Photoshop and navigate to the "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop CS5\Locales" directory on your hard drive. The exact pathname may vary on your system.
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Open the subdirectory for the installed language -- it has a format like "it_IT" -- and then open the "Support Files" directory.
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3.
Rename "tw10428.dat" to "tw10428.dat.bak". If you don't see this exact file, or you see other files, rename any file that begins with "tw" and ends in ".dat".
References
Resources
Tips
- If your Photoshop menu options are in a language you can't read, the "Edit" menu is the second from the left, the "Preferences" option is the last on the list, the "UI Language Setting" is the second from the bottom, and "OK" is the top button.
Warnings
- Information in this article applies specifically to Photoshop CS5, although you can also add language packs for many other Adobe applications in the same manner.
Writer Bio
Alan Sembera began writing for local newspapers in Texas and Louisiana. His professional career includes stints as a computer tech, information editor and income tax preparer. Sembera now writes full time about business and technology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Texas A&M University.