Win32 API for getting the language(localization info) of the OS??

Question

Can anybody please help me with how to get the language(english,chinese etc) of Windows OS through win32 API(C/C++)??

Thanks, Sourabh

Answer 1

You can get the default user locale (which I think is what you're asking) using GetUserDefaultLCID. This will give you an ID which can be used to determine the culture. See here for a table containing IDs and the cultures they represent.

For Vista or Windows 7, Microsoft recommend GetUserDefaultLocaleName.

Answer 2

If you're asking about "Which language the OS menus and dialogs are dispalyed in" (i.e. which MUI - Multilingual User Interface kit - is installed), use the following:

• GetSystemDefaultUILanguage to get the original language of the system,
• GetUserDefaultUILanguage to get the current user's selection,
• EnumUILanguages to see which languages are available.

More info:

• Windows 2000/XP language specific APIs
• FAQ Windows 2000/XP/2003 MUI
• Some concepts of multi-language support in Windows (language groups, locales, MUIs)