To install a font in Windows 10, download the font file, then right-click the .ttf or .otf file and select Install. To install it for every account on the PC, select Install for all users instead. The font is ready to use in Word, Photoshop, and your other apps once you reopen them.
You can also drag font files into Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
Applies to: Windows 10 version 1803 and later. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.
Install a font from a file
- Download the font from a site you trust. Fonts come as .ttf (TrueType) or .otf (OpenType) files.
- If it’s a .zip file, right-click it, select Extract All, then Extract.
- Right-click the font file and select Install, or Install for all users.
If Windows asks whether to allow the change, select Yes only if you trust where the font came from. Install for all users needs an administrator account.
You can also double-click the font file to preview it, then select Install at the top.
Install fonts by drag and drop
- Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
- Drag one or more font files from File Explorer onto the Drag and drop to install box.
This is handy when you have several fonts to add at once.
Get fonts from Microsoft Store
- In Settings > Personalization > Fonts, select Get more fonts in Microsoft Store.
- Pick a font and select Get. It installs automatically.
Use the font in your apps
Close and reopen the app, then look for the font by name in the font list. In Word, check the Home tab font box. Some apps, such as Cricut Design Space or Adobe apps, only show new fonts after a restart of the app or the PC.
Find and remove fonts
- Select Start > Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
- Search for the font under Available fonts and select it.
- Select Uninstall.
You can also open C:\Windows\Fonts in File Explorer to see every installed font. Don’t remove fonts that came with Windows, such as Segoe UI or Arial, because Windows and apps use them.
If a font won’t install or show up
- Only .ttf, .otf, and .ttc files install. A .zip must be extracted first. Web font files such as .woff won’t install.
- “Not a valid font file”: the download may be damaged. Download it again.
- Not in the app: restart the app, then restart the PC.
- Only for one account: reinstall it with Install for all users.
Frequently asked questions
Where are fonts stored in Windows 10?
In C:\Windows\Fonts. Fonts installed for just your account are in your user AppData folder.
Are free fonts safe to download?
Most are, from well-known font sites. Avoid fonts that come as .exe files.
Can I change the Windows system font?
Windows 10 doesn’t have a setting for it. You can make text bigger in Settings > Ease of Access > Display.
To change other parts of the look, see how to change the wallpaper in Windows 10 and how to change your cursor in Windows 10. Microsoft’s guide is Manage fonts in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.
Using Windows 11? The steps are a little different there. See how to install fonts on Windows 11.
Related: how to install Bijoy Bayanno on Windows 10.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.