The Ultimate SharePoint 2010 – 2013 Language Pack Downloader Resource

The SharePoint Language Pack Downloader (originally built as version 1.0 for SharePoint 2010 and updated to version 2.0 for SharePoint 2013) is a popular community-developed utility created by developer Mathew Desmarais. It was designed to solve multi-language setup issues and streamline the tedious process of configuring multilingual ⁠SharePoint Server environments. The Problem It Fixes

When building a global SharePoint farm, administrators often need to download dozens of individual language packs. Manually downloading them via the ⁠Microsoft Download Center causes several frustrating multi-language issues:

Forced Localization Layouts: When you select a language from Microsoft’s dropdown list (e.g., changing from English to Arabic), the entire webpage automatically reloads in that specific language. If you do not speak that language, finding the “Download” button becomes an immediate guessing game.

File Overwrite Conflicts: Microsoft sets identical default filenames (e.g., serverlanguagepack.img or setup.exe) across multiple language bundles. Downloading several packs into the same directory routinely overwrites critical setup files unless you meticulously rename each one manually.

Time Consumption: Manually navigating pages, selecting check-boxes, and managing separate packages for foundational systems vs. full server updates requires hours of administrative overhead. Key Features of the Downloader

The tool provides a centralized, lightweight interface that automates the extraction of these files:

Unified Check-Box Interface: You can select all required languages simultaneously using simple check-marks within an English-based GUI.

Automatic Intelligent Renaming: The program automatically fetches files directly from official Microsoft repositories and cleanly appends regional identifier suffixes (such as _se for Swedish or _fr for French) to prevent file collision.

Comprehensive Version Support: It handles downloads for SharePoint 2010 Foundation, SharePoint Server 2010 (including Service Pack 1 and 2 updates), and standard SharePoint 2013 Language Packs. Standard Installation Process

Once the utility downloads your required language files, you must deploy them systematically across your farm using standard architecture parameters:

Farm Distribution: Copy the downloaded, uniquely-named installation packages to every Web Front End (WFE) and Application server in your SharePoint farm.

Execute Setup: Run the installation executables on each server while logged in under your dedicated Farm Setup user account.

Run the Configuration Wizard: You must run the SharePoint Products Configuration Wizard (psconfig) across all farm machines immediately after installation to properly register the new language schemas in your databases.

Activate on Sites: Navigate to your live site, open Site Settings, click Language Settings, and check the boxes under the alternate languages section to make them visible to end-users.

Are you currently experiencing an installation error code / freeze, or are you planning a migration or setup for an older SharePoint environment? Language Packs for SharePoint Server 2013 – [English]