Can't restore English after Japanese-character attempt | Illegible "boxes" only

[thor2k]

I do not know how to accurately but simply describe my problem other than in the subject line.

Running Windows 7 on a Lenovo X220 laptop.

Attempted to install Japanese language screen/keyboard in "locale" portion of Control Panel.

Stopped midway when only "block characters" (unreadable "Unicode"?) appeared on Windows screens. Everything is fine (and in English) once into an app, but I can't access the exact part of Windows Control Panel to try and unwind this failed installation.

I have viewed perhaps 30+ posts or videos that purport to help, but all rely on being able to understand the Control Panel prompts!

I do not want to do an entire Windows re-install.

Help!

Jay

[attachment deleted by admin to conserve space]

[patio]

Interrupting was a bad idea...re-install from scratch after a cold boot...

[thor2k]

Uh, cannot start from scratch as the relevant captions/prompts are not readable.

[Geek-9pm]

Images of Control Panel in Windows 7
https://www.google.com/search?q=image+of+windows+7+control+panel&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjLoqna9qfUAhUEwWMKHVdYBb4Q7AkITA&biw=725&bih=301
Here is one:

Notice third column, third up from bottom is the language area. Maybe you can try that. The icons will help you identify an item.

[thor2k]

Thanks, "Geek" for the time and thinking in posting that image.

I did find the icon but the "English" option is way down the list of possible languages (it looks like 20-30 down the list) on another well-behaving computer, but the black blocks remain.

Even if I had the patience (and record-keeping) to select and click "Apply" thirty times, with reboots, I am not optimistic.

I suspect the solution may be to "push" a value to the registry . . . or find an "ini" file to tweak?

Thanks!

[thor2k]

This approach looks promising but likely over my head to execute:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-ie/goglobal/bb964650(en-us).aspx

(command line control of Region/Language settings)

[Geek-9pm]

If that does not work, consider system restore.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PelCQxOj6tE
Also:
http://www.wikihow.com/Do-a-System-Restore

System Restore is a powerful tool that allows you to revert Windows to a recent point when everything was working fine

Open the command prompt. Reboot your computer and load the Advanced Startup menu. You can access this by pressing the F8 key as your computer boots up. Select “Safe Mode with Command Prompt” from the list of options. You will be taken to a DOS-style command prompt.
    For more details on starting in Safe Mode, see this article.
    This method is for Windows 7, Vista, and XP. Windows 8 users should refer to the next section.
    If you can’t access the Advanced Startup menu, insert your installation disc and boot from it. Select “Repair your computer” and then select “System Restore”.