Windows – Permanent fix for unicode characters not displaying correctly (as boxes)

displayfontslanguageunicodewindows 7

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?

Best Answer

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.

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