Microsoft has worked to improve the experience of Japanese users running Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 (including the SP2 releases) when it comes down to applications that leverage the Ribbon/Fluent graphical user interface. In this regard, the Redmond company has made available the Meiryo Font Collection Update for Windows Vista and Server 2008 through the Microsoft Download Center. Although offered as a free resource, the update is only accessible to users with genuine copies of Vista and Windows Server 2008. According to the software giant, the refresh is specifically designed for Japanese customers of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2’s precursors that are using Ribbon UI-enabled apps.

“This font family now includes the Meiryo UI font and the Meiryo UI Bold font. This new font lets applications display Japanese text more clearly in the new Ribbon UI component. The Ribbon UI component can be used in many applications that run on Windows Vista or on Windows Server 2008,” Microsoft explained.

“Both the Meiryo UI font and the Meiryo UI Bold font are included in this update. These new fonts contain narrower Kana characters and adjusted vertical spacing so that the font can fit better in an application's user interface. These new fonts let an application do the following: optimally display Japanese text in the Ribbon UI component. Display Japanese text effectively in other parts of the user interface, especially in areas where text area is limited. We recommend that you install this update on computers that are running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 and that have the Japanese language installed,” Microsoft added.

It is with Windows 7 that the Redmond company is pushing for the Ribbon; becoming a standard of user experiences in Windows-based applications, while replacing the old style menus featuring items such as File, Edit, View, etc., users with Windows 7 machines can easily see the work Microsoft itself has done when it comes down to embracing the Ribbon. Originally introduced with the advent of the Office 2007 System, the Ribbon UI, also referred to as Fluent UI, has survived and evolved not only in Office 2010 but also in default components of Windows 7. Applications, such as Paint and WordPad, in the latest iteration of the Windows client feature the Ribbon UI in all its splendor.

Download links:

- Meiryo Font Collection Update for Windows Vista and Server 2008 (x86-based version)
- Meiryo Font Collection Update for Windows Vista and Server 2008 (x64-based version)
- Meiryo Font Collection Update for Windows Server 2008 (ia64-based version)