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
    2024-01-13T13:01:55+00:00

    All I did was go to "Lock Screen Settings" and under the 1st Tab "Personalize your Lock Screen" by default it would be "Windows Spotlight" what I did was I changed it to "Picture" and that'll remove all the stuff, it'll just remain blank and just show the time alone. I didn't like this so I changed it back to "Windows Spotlight" and that seemed to sort out the problem.

    Prior to doing this I had changed my time and date settings etc. and restarted but that did not help. So that's what I did and it worked.

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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
    2024-01-13T16:12:29+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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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-13T16:31:44+00:00

    I tried this but upon restart the language reverts to Chinese. :-(

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-01-13T16:57:42+00:00

    All I did was go to "Lock Screen Settings" and under the 1st Tab "Personalize your Lock Screen" by default it would be "Windows Spotlight" what I did was I changed it to "Picture" and that'll remove all the stuff, it'll just remain blank and just show the time alone. I didn't like this so I changed it back to "Windows Spotlight" and that seemed to sort out the problem.

    Prior to doing this I had changed my time and date settings etc. and restarted but that did not help. So that's what I did and it worked.

    Unfortunately - reverting back to Windows Spotlight again after setting the welcome screen to picture did not work for me!

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    2 people found this answer helpful.
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