How to Install TrueType or OpenType Fonts in Windows

Add fonts to your Windows computer in the right way to avoid problems

By
Jacci Howard Bear
Jacci Howard Bear
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A graphic designer, writer, and artist who writes about and teaches print and web design.
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Updated on May 16, 2022
Reviewed by
Kayla Dube
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Reviewed by Kayla Dube
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Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies.
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What to Know

  • To install a font from a folder, open the folder containing the font, but do not open the font file.
  • Next, open Control Panel, double-click Fonts, then drag the font file into the Fonts folder.
  • To install a font directly from the font file, right-click or double-click the font file and select Install.

This article explains how to install TrueType and OpenType fonts in Windows 10, 8, and 7 from the font's folder or directly from the font file. You may have downloaded fonts from a website or have a CD full of typefaces, but you can't use the fonts until you install them on your Windows PC.

How to Install Fonts in the Fonts folder

If you downloaded a font as a ZIP file, extract it before you access the Fonts folder.

  1. In Windows, open the folder containing the font you want to install, but do not open the file.

    TrueType fonts have the TTF extension and an icon of a dog-eared page with two overlapping Ts. OpenType fonts have the TTF or OTF extension and a small O icon. TrueType and OpenType fonts require only these TTF and OTF files to install and use the fonts.

    Font files in Windows Explorer

  2. Open the Control Panel.

  3. Double-click the Fonts folder.

    The Fonts folder in Windows Control Panel

  4. Return to the folder containing the font you want to install. Select the font file and drag it to the Fonts folder. Drop the font file anywhere in the main area of the folder window.

    Drag the font file to the Fonts folder

  5. Wait until the font is installed.

    Font installing in Windows

  6. Close the folders. The font is now available to use on your computer.

How to Install a Font From the Font File

Another way to install a font in Windows is to do so directly from the unzipped font file.

  1. Navigate to the unzipped font file on your computer.

    Font files in Windows Explorer

  2. Right-click the file and choose Install.

    The Install command for a font

  3. When the font finishes installing, you can begin using it.

In Windows 10, you can also double-click the font file to open it and select Install to install it automatically.

The Install button

If you have programs running while installing fonts in Windows, you may be required to exit the programs and restart the PC to make the new fonts available in the font menu.

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