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31bf3856ad364e35 Amd64 .cab — Microsoft-windows-languagefeatures-basic-zh-cn-package

microsoft-windows-languagefeatures-basic-zh-cn-package 31bf3856ad364e35 amd64 .cab

Scenario B: Language Pack Prerequisite

Some full Language Packs (LP) for zh-cn require the "Basic" features as a dependency. If you try to install the full LP without the Basic .cab, DISM will return:

DISM does not support installing a language pack when the neutral language pack is not installed.

Part 2: What Does the Basic zh-CN Language Feature Package Actually Do?

Many users assume that installing Windows in Chinese or adding the “Chinese language pack” from Settings > Time & Language is enough. However, Windows language support is modular:

  1. Language Experience Pack – Contains the UI translations (menus, dialogs, settings).
  2. Basic Language Features – The package we are discussing.
  3. Optional Features – Handwriting recognition, optical character recognition (OCR), text-to-speech, speech recognition.

The microsoft-windows-languagefeatures-basic-zh-cn package provides the foundation for Chinese (Simplified) operation. Without it:

  • Chinese characters may appear as blank boxes, question marks, or random symbols.
  • You cannot add a Chinese keyboard or IME (like Microsoft Pinyin or Wubi).
  • The system’s locale data (date formats, currency symbols, calendar) will be incomplete.
  • Non-Unicode applications that assume a Chinese code page (e.g., older games or business apps) will display garbled text.

If you are deploying Windows images to a multilingual enterprise environment or building a custom Windows PE (Preinstallation Environment) for Chinese-speaking technicians, this .cab file is mandatory. Scenario B: Language Pack Prerequisite Some full Language

Commit changes

Dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:"C:\Mount" /Commit

Add the Basic Language Pack

Dism /Image:"C:\Mount" /Add-Package /PackagePath:"Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Basic-zh-cn-Package_31bf3856ad364e35_amd64.cab"

2.1 Package Taxonomy

The Microsoft-Windows-LanguageFeatures-Basic-zh-cn-Package is distinct from other language components in the repository:

  • Basic: Installs the core fonts (e.g., SimSun, Microsoft YaHei), code pages (GBK/GB18030), and locale files required to display and input Chinese text. It does not change the Windows shell UI language.
  • Full (LanguagePack): Builds upon the Basic package to translate the Desktop, File Explorer, and system applications into Chinese.
  • Supplemental Features: Components like Handwriting, TextToSpeech, and OCR rely on the Basic package being present.

Section 3: The Public Key Token – 31bf3856ad364e35

This hex token is a SHA-1 hash of the Microsoft Windows Production PCA 2011 certificate's public key. Every Microsoft-signed servicing package shares the same token. Part 2: What Does the Basic zh-CN Language

Why does it matter?

  • Validation: DISM will reject any package whose token does not match Microsoft’s signing authority.
  • Side-by-side storage: In the component store (C:\Windows\WinSxS), folders are named like amd64_microsoft-windows-languagefeatures-basic-zh-cn_31bf3856ad364e35_.... The token disambiguates Microsoft components from third-party or custom packages.
  • Update replacement: When a cumulative update supersedes this package, the newer version retains the same token to allow seamless replacement.

Important: Do not alter or strip this token. Doing so will break digital signature validation and DISM will refuse to install the .cab.

Step-by-Step Deployment

  1. Mount a Windows image (if offline):

    dism /Mount-Image /ImageFile:C:\install.wim /Index:1 /MountDir:C:\mount

  2. Add the language pack:

    dism /Image:C:\mount /Add-Package /PackagePath:C:\LangPacks\microsoft-windows-languagefeatures-basic-zh-cn-package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab

  3. Set as default system UI language (optional):

    dism /Image:C:\mount /Set-SysLocale:zh-CN
dism /Image:C:\mount /Set-UserLocale:zh-CN
dism /Image:C:\mount /Set-InputLocale:0804:00000804

  4. Commit changes and unmount:

    dism /Unmount-Image /MountDir:C:\mount /Commit

For a running Windows system (online mode):

dism /Online /Add-Package /PackagePath:"C:\LangPacks\microsoft-windows-languagefeatures-basic-zh-cn-package~31bf3856ad364e35~amd64~~.cab"

Part 1: Deconstructing the File Name

Before we discuss what the file does, we need to understand what the name tells us. Each segment provides metadata about the package’s origin, architecture, and purpose. Basic: Installs the core fonts (e.g.