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How to Manage Your Fonts in Windows

Clean up Windows fonts

By Jacci Howard Bear Jacci Howard Bear Writer A graphic designer, writer, and artist who writes about and teaches print and web design. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on October 13, 2022 Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Windows The Ultimate Laptop Buying Guide

What to Know

Use programs like Adobe Type Manager or Bitstream Font Navigator to browse fonts and create font groups.Expect to run into installation problems with 800-1000 or more installed fonts. Aim for 500 or fewer fonts.You can save a copy of a font before deleting it from the Windows Font folder. This article explains how to manage your fonts in Windows to keep you from having font overload, which can slow down your computer. Instructions and information apply to Windows 10, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

How Many Fonts Are Too Many

When you can no longer install more fonts you definitely have too many. As a general rule of thumb, you can expect to run into installation problems with 800-1000 or more installed fonts. In practice, you'll probably encounter system slowdowns with fewer fonts. There is no magic number. The maximum number of fonts will vary from system to system due to the way the Windows System Registry works. There is a Registry Key within Windows that contains the names of all the TrueType fonts installed and the paths to those fonts. This Registry Key has a size limit. When that limit is reached, you can no longer install more fonts. If all your fonts have very short names you can install more fonts than if they all had very long names. But "too many" is more than just a limitation of the operating system. Do you really want to scroll through a list of 700 or even 500 fonts from within your software applications? For best performance and ease of use, you'd do well to limit installed fonts to fewer than 500, perhaps as few as 200 if you're using a font manager as described below.

Deleting the Ones You Don' t Want

There are certain fonts required by your operating system and specific programs that should be present. Fonts that you use day in and day out should also remain. Before you begin deleting fonts from the Windows Font folder, make sure you save a copy of that font in case you discover you really want it or that one of your software programs requires it.

But I Want ALL My Fonts

Can't bear to part with your fonts but Windows is overloaded? You need a font manager. A font manager simplifies the process of installing and uninstalling fonts and allows you to browse your entire collection - even uninstalled fonts. Some have features for printing samples, automatic font activation, or cleaning up corrupt fonts. In addition to font browsing, programs such as Adobe Type Manager or Bitstream Font Navigator allow you to create font groups or sets. You can install and uninstall these font groups when you need them for a certain project. Your core or most used fonts stay installed at all times but all your other favorites are tucked away ready to be used at a moment's notice. This provides you with ready access to 1000s of fonts while keeping your system running smoothly with a manageable number of installed fonts. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Install Fonts in Windows 7 How to Install Fonts in Windows 10 How to Add Fonts to Word How to Download Fonts on iPhone How to Install TrueType or OpenType Fonts in Windows How to Download Fonts on iPad How to Install Fonts in Windows 11 CCleaner v6.05 Free System Cleaner Review How to Fix Incorrect Windows 11 Audio Icons 17 Best Free Uninstaller Programs (October 2022) Geek Uninstaller v1.5.1.162 Review (A Free Uninstaller) How to Get iPhone Emojis for Your Android How to Fix Broken Registry Items in Windows 11 Tips for Solving Common PowerPoint Problems How to Change Font in Windows 10 How to Fix It When Windows 11 Is Slow Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies