HOWTO: Display Hanzi and Kanji

Recently I have received many emails from readers asking how to properly display Hanzi and Kanji on their computers. Since most PCs with Microsoft Windows operating system are English without East Asian language package(s) installed, the Hanzi and Kanji would show up as “????” and “□□□□”.

Solution 1. Usually in Microsoft Windows 2000 and XP, there is a setting under “Regional and Language Options” in the “Control Panel”, that would install additional components for East Asian languages.

Control Panel > Regional and Language Options > Language (tab) > Install files for East Asian Languages (checkbox)

Solution 2. Download and install the language pack(s) directly from Microsoft’s website.

Office XP Tool: Global IME (Simplified Chinese)

Use the Microsoft Global Input Method Editor for Office XP (Simplified Chinese) to input Simplified Chinese text in your documents, worksheets, presentations, mail messages, publications, and Web pages.

Office XP Tool: Global IME (Traditional Chinese)

Use the Microsoft Global Input Method Editor for Office XP (Traditional Chinese) to input Traditional Chinese text in your documents, worksheets, presentations, mail messages, publications, and Web pages.

Office XP Tool: Traditional Chinese Language Pack

The Traditional Chinese Language Pack installs Traditional Chinese language support files for the operating system.

Office XP Tool: Simplified Chinese Language Pack

The Simplified Chinese Language Pack installs Simplified Chinese language support files for the operating system.