An update is available that changes the default settings of the shaping behavior for Arabic text rendering in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2

Applies to: Windows 7 EnterpriseWindows 7 Home BasicWindows 7 Home Premium

Introduction

This article describes an update that changes the default shaping behavior for OpenType Arabic fonts in Windows 7 and in Windows Server 2008 R2. Arabic fonts that include discretionary ligatures and contextual alternates may shape or display differently in applications (for example, in Microsoft Office 2013) after this update is applied.

More Information

This update prevents the automatic application of discretionary ligatures and contextual alternates. Additionally, this update aligns the shaping behavior for Arabic text rendering with the behavior for Arabic text in Windows 8.

Update information

How to obtain this update

Microsoft Update
This update is available from Windows Update.
Microsoft Download Center
The following files are available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:
Operating systemUpdate
All supported x86-based versions of Windows 7Download Download the update package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows 7Download Download the update package now.
All supported x64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2Download Download the update package now.
All supported IA-64-based versions of Windows Server 2008 R2Download Download the update package now.
For more information about how to download Microsoft support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
119591 How to obtain Microsoft support files from online services
Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help prevent any unauthorized changes to the file.

Prerequisites

To apply this update, you must be running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2.

Registry information

To use the update in this package, you do not have to make any changes to the registry.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this update.

Hotfix replacement information

This update does not replace a previously released update.
For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates
For more information about the OpenType font formats, go to the following Microsoft website:
General information about the OpenType font formats