System font on new computer displays weird characters

New computer displays symbols for special characters. For example, in the lower right corner the time reads 729AM and in File Explorer a file name that should be VCMC T&O.docx reads VCMC T^0O.docx.

I tried changing the system font but that did not help so I changed back to the default. I searched this and a couple other forums and did a generic google search but didn't come up with anything.

Any help you can offer will be much appreciated.

Version 1803 (OS Build 17134-407)

I truly appreciate your suggestions.

I tried both methods to restore the default. The first would not save (the OK button never lit up) so I tried the REG file. Nothing. I tried a reboot. Still nothing. I ran Windows upgrade (to Version 1803 (OS Build 17134-441)--still have the same problem.

I'm also having trouble with fonts in Adobe Acrobat Pro XI. I've installed it several times. When I try to modify the tool bar I get icons but no text. A few minutes ago I got a popup box that is usually about 1" tall by 3" wide. This time it fills the screen and the text is comprised of italicized block letters that are about an inch tall and all the text has a strike through. I've tried uninstalling, using CCleaner to clean the registry, reboot and then reinstall with no improvement.

ddelo said:

Weird.....very weird. 1803 has never been reported for this kind of problems..

jjstephens75 said:

I tried both methods to restore the default. The first would not save (the OK button never lit up) so I tried the REG file. Nothing. I tried a reboot. Still nothing. I ran Windows upgrade (to Version 1803 (OS Build 17134-441)--still have the same problem.

Have you now, or ever used Winaero Tweaker to change fonts? This has often been found to be the cause of 'strange' separators in the Taskbar clock....

I had exactly the same problem after messing with the system fonts via Winaero Tweaker.
Anyway, I simply did a reinstall of Creators Update and that fixed it. No Clean Install just a simple Update or Upgrade and keep original programs, etc. and that fixed it.

Win 10 Pro Creators update taskbar clock anomaly - any suggestions? Solved - Windows 10 Forums

The cure in that case was an in-place repair upgrade. There were other fixes mentioned in that thread, so read on from the post I linked to.

Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade | Tutorials

If you do not already have the install media for your 1803 on ISO or USB, getting it with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool now would get the 1809 media. This would also repair the system, but upgrade you to 1809 at the same time. If you want to stay on 1803 then you need the 1803 ISO. The Heidoc 3rd-party tool can generate links to download the 1803 ISO direct from Microsoft.

Heidoc | Microsoft Windows and Office ISO Download Tool

Thanks for the tip. I had never heard of Winaero Tweaker so that is not the problem. I'll try the CU repair.

I installed 1809. It solved most of the font issues and cleared up the Acrobat problems as well.

The only lingering issue is that a couple files that have an ampersand in the file name still show the weird symbol (^0) in Office applications though they appear as expected in File Explorer and another file manager I use (FreeCommander).

At this point, I'm happy with the results. Thanks to all for your great assistance.