 |  |
Frequently Asked Questions
Windows XP Professional Language Interface Pack (LIP)
Since Windows 2000, the Windows operating system has been localized to 24 languages. The same languages are also available as Multilingual User Interface Pack (MUI). To enhance the experience for customers who would like to use Windows in their native language but don't speak one of the 24 languages already supported, Microsoft introduced Windows XP Professional Language Interface Pack (LIP). This FAQ discusses Windows XP Professional LIP.
On This Page
What is Windows XP Professional LIP?Microsoft Windows XP Professional Language Interface Pack (LIP) is a high-quality, localized "skin" for emerging or minority language markets, such as Catalan, Lithuanian, and Thai. Based on MUI technology, LIP provides the desktop user with an approximately 80% localized user experience by translating a reduced set of user interface elements. LIP is installed on a licensed copy of Windows and a fixed base language. What is the difference between LIP and MUI?The main difference is in the level of localization in comparison to MUI packages: LIP packages provide the desktop user with an approximately 80% localized user experience. In addition, LIP doesn't allow users to switch languages. Once a LIP is installed, all users using that machine will have the same User Interface (UI) language. LIP relies on the same resource-loading technology MUI is built upon, and installs on top of the English version of Windows XP Professional (in most cases). What is localized and what is not in the LIP package?The LIP packages do not have complete localization coverage. Only more frequently used UI is localized. Components not localized include Help and Support Center, administrative tools, system error messages, event logs, Messenger, and others. User Assistance (Help) files are not localized, and most packages add one special localized topic to Help and Support Center. Slovak and Slovenian are fully localized (including Help and Support Center and so on), but are released as LIPs. How to obtain LIP packages?You can acquire LIP through Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP/Open), or with a new computer as an OEM version from your PC manufacturer where available. LIP Packages are also available for download via by following the links in Question 5. Note: The method MUI is distributed hasn't changed. MUI is not available through retail channels and it is sold only through volume licensing programs such as the Microsoft Open License Program (MOLP/Open), Select, and Enterprise agreement (or with a new computer as an OEM version from your PC manufacturer where available). What languages are available in LIP?LIP is currently available for 27 languages. Click on the link to download.
Most LIP packages install on top of both the Home and Professional edition of Windows XP. Read the System Requirements outlined on each download page prior to downloading. What are the differences between the MUI packages for Romanian, Croatian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian and Thai in comparison to the MUI packages for the other languages?The only difference between the MUI packages for Romanian, Croatian, Bulgarian, Estonian, Lithuanian, Latvian and Thai and the MUI packages for the other languages is the degree of localization. The MUI packages for the former languages only include localization for the frequently used UI elements. This doesn't include Help and Support Center, administrative tools, system error messages, event logs, Messenger,... Note that Slovenian and Slovak are included in CD5 but they are full MUI packages.
|
In This Article
|
