Permanent fix for unicode characters not displaying correctly (as boxes)

I am not sure why it works, but putting a file on your desktop with a name in a Eastern Language (such as Japanese), seems to keep the problem from popping up.

I have no idea how or why this works or even if it is a permanent fix. But the problem has not reappeared since I did so. Please let me know if this works for you.

For example, I just use a blank file on my desktop with the name きぼう.

I've recently experienced the same issue. Yes all the other solutions are only temporary solutions for me as well. The following is a bit of a hack in that you have to change each application separately. For Notepad (and Notepad++ if you use it or other text editors) you should be able to change the font to a unicode font such as Arial Unicode MS, or if you prefer fixed width fonts then try GulimChe (any of the fonts that end in "Che" are fixed width fonts). This works for me for Notepad and other applications where I can specifically choose the font. I have tested this for Korean (Hangul) characters, but assume it works for other Asian characters as well. I know how to change the default font in windows xp (for windows explorer) but haven't figured it out for Win7 yet. Try the following http://windows.microsoft.com/en-au/windows7/change-windows-fonts. Hope this helps...