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Please read this entire message before replying.

First, I know how to fix the issue on a temporary basis. I am looking for a permanent fix. I work with foreign language files a lot.

Unfortunately sometimes all the unicode characters in Windows Explorer, Notepad, and other places (as rendered by Windows, probably GDI) do not display correctly. They display as rectangular blocks, where they had previously been displaying correctly. There are countless methods to temporarily correct the issue.

But again, I want a way to permanently resolve the issue.

What I have tried:

  • The silly "Hide fonts based on language settings". This setting only applies to what fonts you see in the fonts folder and font dropdowns. It doesn't disable foreign fonts (doesn't work, or if it does, it is temporary).
  • Deleting the font cache file and rebooting (works.. usually, temporary solution).
  • Changing my locale and then back (sometimes works, temporary solution).
  • Rebooting my PC and getting lucky (50-50 chance, temporary solution).
  • Changing my keyboard input/adding foreign keyboard (temporary solution that only seems to work once).
  • Reinstalling Windows (temporary solution, sometimes lasts a few months though, I have done this 7 times across 3 computers).

What I have not tried:

  • Buying Windows Ultimate and installing the interface packs. This is not a solution. I can't read Japanese/Chinese and I do not want my interface in those languages.

What I will not do:

  • Switch to a different brand operating system (Unix, Linux, Mac OS X).
  • Switch to an older version of Windows (Vista, XP, 2000, etc.)

So can anyone recommend a permanent fix for the problem?

boot13
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Chase
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4 Answers4

5

I am not sure why it works, but putting a file on your desktop with a name in a Eastern Language (such as Japanese), seems to keep the problem from popping up.

I have no idea how or why this works or even if it is a permanent fix. But the problem has not reappeared since I did so. Please let me know if this works for you.

For example, I just use a blank file on my desktop with the name きぼう.

Chase
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1

I've recently experienced the same issue. Yes all the other solutions are only temporary solutions for me as well. The following is a bit of a hack in that you have to change each application separately. For Notepad (and Notepad++ if you use it or other text editors) you should be able to change the font to a unicode font such as Arial Unicode MS, or if you prefer fixed width fonts then try GulimChe (any of the fonts that end in "Che" are fixed width fonts). This works for me for Notepad and other applications where I can specifically choose the font. I have tested this for Korean (Hangul) characters, but assume it works for other Asian characters as well. I know how to change the default font in windows xp (for windows explorer) but haven't figured it out for Win7 yet. Try the following http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows7/change-windows-fonts. Hope this helps...

user224410
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0

This is a long shot but did you by any chance run windows update clean up utility via disk clean up which seems to alleviate the issue

Microsoft KB article (KB2852386) http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2852386

dccet
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The only way I have ever fixed that issue is to install the language pack for that language. You don't have to use that language just have it installed. In windows update. look in the Optional updates and the language packs are listed there.

If you already did this I'm sorry for the useless post. I did not see in the question post if you have done this.

jmc302005
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