Install Hebrew on Windows Server 2003

Daniel Petri

Jan 8, 2009

How can I install and use Hebrew fonts on my Windows Server 2003 computer?

Windows Server 2003 (and 2000/XP/Vista) has the built-in ability to display Hebrew fonts on your system without the need to install language packs or special localized versions of the OS. To see Hebrew fonts on your Windows XP computer you MUST perform the following tasks precisely in the order listed here. Not doing so might cause your computer to display ??????? instead of Hebrew fonts, especially in Office applications.
Unlike W2K, it is SAFE and it is OK for you to install Hebrew language support during the GUI setup phase of Windows Server 2003.
Note: You might also want to read the following articles:

Option 1: During the GUI phase of the setup process

After rebooting from the text-based setup phase, the computer will display the setup GUI, and the fist prompt you’ll get is the Regional Settings customization window.
You can install Hebrew support at this phase by pressing the Customize button and going to the Languages tab.

Select the “Install files for complex script and right-to-left languages” check-box.

A warning message will appear. Press Ok.

Warning: You must now press Apply!!!

Setup will copy the necessary files from the installation point.

You can now go to the Regional Options tab and select Israel in the Location drop-down list, and Hebrew in the Standards and Formats drop-down list. Click Ok.

Option 2: On a running installation of Windows Server 2003

If you already have Windows Server 2003 installed you can basically do the same, only this time it’s done from within Control Panel and you’ll need to have the installation CD (or at least the I386 folder from the CD) handy, because the OS needs to copy files from it.