Windows 8 – How to Change Language for Non-Unicode Programs

unicodewindows 8

There has always been a "Language for non-Unicode programs" settings in the "Region and Language" settings in XP, Vista and 7.

I installed Windows 8 (had some unrelated problems, so I had to revert to Windows 7 though), and I tried installing a piece of software that was not made with Unicode, but Shift-JIS (Japanese). The installer obviously shows incorrect glyphs, and the installer is unusable.

So I tried changing the "Language for non-Unicode programs" setting, but I noticed that the entire language applet was rebuilt from scratch.

As I reverted to Windows 7, I can't tinker with it until I solve the other problems and can get to install 8 again. But in the meantime, does anybody know where can I change this setting?

Best Answer

Windows 7's Region and Language has been split up in Windows 8 to separate Region and Language Control Panel applets.

  1. Go to Control Panel (the desktop version)

  2. Clock, Language, and Region

  3. Region
    2

  4. Click on the Administrative tab on the top

  5. Under Language for non-Unicode programs, select the button Change system locale, then select Japanese or whichever Asian display language you would like

  6. Restart your computer

The Japanese characters should display fine now.

Windows 7 Region and Language Applet
1

Windows 8 Language Applet
3

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