Chinese characters on the first screen after switch on

Anonymous
2024-01-09T12:53:49+00:00

The screen before I put my PIN in (I don't know if that is the lock screen or called something else) has suddenly started to use Chinese traditional language. I have checked and updated the region in control panel and copied the settings to lock screen and even ticked the new use box, as suggested by other solutions. I've rebooted several times but it still comes back as Chinese. When I click on the area that (I assume is saying) I want more information on the screen, it opens up MSN page with Chinese stories and information. How do I change the settings to show English text again?

Why has this happened? I have not changed any settings in my system prior to now.

I also can't get a screenshot because as soon as I touch a key the PIN request screen comes up replacing the screen with the Chinese characters in it.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Input and language

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-02-02T04:18:23+00:00

    Same issue here. I live in Norway, but my Windows is set to English.

    I noticed it after a Windows update, not sure if that's the issue though.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-13T15:03:26+00:00

    Maybe we are monitored by Chinese government now or Microsoft sold our data to China :D

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-13T10:27:46+00:00

    Back again:

    Have now solved the issue with the welcome screen showing pictures with different languages. According to posts on Reddit this is to do with "Windows Spotlight" - though there maybe a more underlying issue.

    one solution was to look at the language setting for spotlight - however this seemed ok. T

    he other was to simply turn off spotlight and just use a picture (go to settings - lock screen settings and change windows spotlight to picture and select a picture)

    I did the latter for now.

    so this plus resetting the region seems to have improved things.

    But need to keep a check to see if this language problem occurs elsewhere

    (note I had inadvertently asked mS copilot about the issue yesterday and the prompt box for a reply to this was in Chinese - resetting the region to English and my country (even though showed it was set correctly) has also solved this as well as the Chinese on the logon screen - just did a check! )

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-13T05:18:12+00:00

    I have the same issue, LOL. Microsoft team, please fix it :( the PC doesn't look good with Chinese bro.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-01-13T16:12:29+00:00

    The solution to the locked screen language problems is (spotlight):

    1. Before the login, click on the foreign text.
    2. Login into Windows.
    3. You will find you have a https://www.msn.com/ start page open, which is going to be in the same language.
    4. On the top-right select the preferences/settings and select the right Language & content settings.
    5. Apply and relogin. Now the problem with the foreign fonts/language should be resolvedd.

    I hope this helps someone.

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