English Forum for TheoLogos.net

Update (Oct 9, 2009): If you simply need to read Chinese characters in email sent to you, please check this source: http://www.white-clouds.com/iclc/cliej/ ... -email.htm

If you have tried to install and run Chinese software programs, e.g. QQ instant messenger, then you will know that the English Windows (XP or Vista) operating system does not normally allow you to display Chinese characters in the dialog or menu of these Chinese programs even though you can view and input Chinese in your internet browser. So we searched for the solutions and find the following works pretty good for us:

Windows XP: - Set the default language to Chinese in the regional preferences
Click Start > Settings > Control Panel > Regional and Language Settings > Advanced, then change the dropdown to Chinese Simplified or whatever language you prefer.

If you do not see any of the Chinese language options in the dropdown menu, then you need to click the "Languages" tab and select "Install files for East Asian languages". Restart the computer after the settings are committed. Then go through the above processes again and you should see a few Chinese language options in the dropdown menu under the "Advanced" tab.

Note that you should leave the language option in the "Regional Options" tab as "English..." if you would like to use English as the default language - your Windows works just like your English Windows in the past, only it now allows you to display and input Chinese. Even the Chinese in any Chinese programs menu can display properly.

Windows Vista: - Set the default language to Chinese in the regional preferences
Click Start > Control Panel > Clock, Language, and Region > Regional and Language Options > Administrative > Change system locale, then pick from the dropdown menu "Chinese (PRC)" or whatever selection you prefer.

Note that the above not only applies to Chinese languages, it also works for whatever language you speak!