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Cannot type Arabic text in the command prompt.


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Symptoms

Arabic text typed in the command prompt window will be displayed as garbled.

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Cause

Arabic is not supported in CMD prompt and will not be displayed correctly.

Steps to reproduce the problem:
  • Click Start--> Run
  • Type CMD.EXE
  • Switch the keyboard language to Arabic by pressing ALT+Right-SHIFT
  • Type some text

The Arabic text will be displayed garbled. If you copy the text from the console to a Windows application like Notepad, the Arabic text will be displayed correctly.

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Status

This behavior is by design. Arabic and Hebrew (and for that matter Thai, Hindi, and other complex scripts) are not supported on Windows 2000 and Windopws XP console.

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Keywords: kbfaq, kbinfo, kbbidi, kbprb, KB821083

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Article Info
Article ID : 821083
Revision : 2
Created on : 8/25/2008
Published on : 8/25/2008
Exists online : False
Views : 322