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
    2024-01-14T05:21:52+00:00

    I tried this and it changed from Chinese to Spanish.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-01-14T08:29:06+00:00

    Coincidentally, I left Sweden on the 12th to find Chinese characters on my sleep screen upon arrival in France. My region is set to NZ and I am using US keyboard. It is not too far fetched for me to be hacked in the environment I work in.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-01-14T11:00:41+00:00

    same here.. sudden changes are usually a bug.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-01-14T11:07:39+00:00

    UPDATE: worked only for a day

    A variation of NickyCD's solution worked for me, my windows control panel had separate items for Clock and Region. I didn't touch anything under Clock.

    Press WIN R and write Control.

    Click on Region

    Under tab formats see the first item format:

    This currently has your language selected. Click on it and in the list that appears scroll to the top and select Match Windows display language (recommended).

    Click on OK then restart your PC.

    The result for me was no text appearing on the startup screen which is fine for me.

    But if you want text, back in Region, select the tab Administrative

    Then under Welcome screen and new user accounts click on Copy settings. (Not tested by me, but by NickyCD)

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-01-14T11:45:30+00:00

    Hey support agent, your incompetence showed clearly that none of your suggestion works, you don't even care to fix the issue.

    If anyone resolved the matter please let me know.

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