How to Install Fonts on Windows (2026)
To install fonts on Windows, right-click the font file (.ttf or .otf) and choose Install — or for every account on the PC, Install for all users. That single right-click is all most people need. This guide covers that fast path on Windows 11 and Windows 10, plus the alternatives (drag-and-drop, the Settings app, the Microsoft Store), how to remove fonts, and the fix for the classic “I installed it but it’s not in my apps” problem.
One thing to get right before you start: for installing on a PC you want TTF or OTF files — not WOFF or WOFF2, which are web-only and won’t install. If you’re not sure what you’ve got, check our breakdown of font file formats explained.
The Fast Way: Right-Click and Install
- Unzip the download first if it’s a
.zip— right-click the archive, choose Extract All. Windows won’t install a font directly from inside a zip. - Right-click the font file (
.ttfor.otf). - Choose Install (just you) or Install for all users (everyone on the PC — needs admin rights).
That’s the whole process. On Windows 11, you may need to click Show more options to reveal the legacy right-click menu where Install lives. The font is available immediately in apps you open afterward.
Tip: to install a whole family at once, select every .ttf/.otf file (click the first, Shift-click the last), then right-click the selection and choose Install. Variable fonts install the same way and bring every weight in a single file — see variable fonts explained.
Per-User vs. All-Users Install
Windows, like macOS, has two install scopes:
| Choice | Who can use it | Admin needed? |
|---|---|---|
| Install | Only your account | No |
| Install for all users | Everyone on the PC | Yes |
Per-user fonts go to %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts; all-users fonts go to the classic C:\Windows\Fonts. Choose per-user when you lack admin rights or want to keep a client’s fonts off other accounts; choose all-users on a shared workstation or when a service running under a different account needs the font.
Alternative: Install via the Settings App
Windows 11 and recent Windows 10 builds let you drag-and-drop fonts in Settings, which is handy for batches:
- Open Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
- Drag your font files into the Add fonts drop zone at the top.
- Windows installs them (per-user) and lists them below.
This same Fonts screen is where you’ll go to manage and remove fonts later.
Alternative: Get Fonts from the Microsoft Store
On the Settings > Personalization > Fonts screen there’s a Get more fonts in Microsoft Store link. Store fonts install with one click and update automatically, but the selection is limited. For most design work you’ll install downloaded files from a foundry, Google Fonts, or Adobe instead.
Drag-and-Drop into the Fonts Folder
The old-school method still works: open C:\Windows\Fonts in File Explorer and drag font files into it. This installs for all users and requires admin permission. The right-click Install method is faster and safer, but this is useful if a script or backup left fonts loose on disk.
How to Remove a Font on Windows
- Open Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
- Click the font family you want to remove.
- Click Uninstall, then confirm. (For a single style within a family, select it and use Remove.)
Avoid deleting Windows’ built-in fonts (Segoe UI, Arial, Calibri, etc.) — the OS and many apps rely on them. Windows will usually block removal of protected system fonts anyway.
Troubleshooting: Font Installed but Not Appearing
If a font installed cleanly but won’t show in your app, run through these:
- Restart the app. Programs read the font list at launch — close and reopen Word, Photoshop, Illustrator or Figma.
- Confirm the file type. A WOFF/WOFF2 file can’t be installed on Windows; you need TTF or OTF. WOFF formats are for the web — see WOFF2 vs WOFF.
- Check it installed for the right scope. If you installed per-user but the app runs as another account/service, reinstall for all users.
- Look for a corrupt download. Re-download and re-extract; a partially-copied font file fails silently.
- Clear the font cache. As a last resort, restart Windows to force the Windows Font Cache Service to rebuild.
Setting the same font up on a Mac instead? Follow how to install fonts on Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I install a font on Windows 11?
Unzip the download, right-click the .ttf or .otf file, click Show more options if needed, then choose Install (just you) or Install for all users. You can also drag fonts into Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
Where are fonts stored on Windows?
All-users fonts live in C:\Windows\Fonts. Per-user fonts (installed without admin rights) live in %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts. You can browse and manage both from Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
Why is my installed font not showing in Word or Photoshop?
Most often the app was already open — close and reopen it so it reloads the font list. Also confirm you installed a TTF/OTF (not a WOFF web file), and that it installed for the account running the app. A Windows restart clears the font cache if needed.
Can I install fonts on Windows without admin rights?
Yes. The right-click Install option and the drag-and-drop area in Settings both install for your user account only and need no admin password. Only Install for all users requires administrator rights.
How do I uninstall a font on Windows?
Open Settings > Personalization > Fonts, click the font family, then click Uninstall and confirm. Don’t remove built-in system fonts like Segoe UI or Arial — Windows depends on them and usually blocks their deletion.
