Removing foreign language fonts

Anonymous

Does anyone know of a way to remove the many foreign language fonts from Windows 7? There wasn't an option to exclude them during setup. I've tried deleting them, but Windows tells me that they are system fonts which cannot be deleted. I've also tried "Hiding" them, but they still show up in the font list in Office and other programs. All I want and need are the basic English language fonts. Having to wade through dozens of useless (to me) fonts is a major annoyance. There should be a way to exclude them from my system if I don't need them.

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hello mcbarker69,

The reason that I did not know the fonts in question is because no particular fonts were mentioned, and I had gone into fonts and removed a couple foreign fonts with no problem. However that being said, in order to remove the fonts that are being referred to follow these steps:

Take ownership of the file:

- Click Start Orb > type fonts in the search box > click Fonts

- Right-click the font > click Properties - Click Security tab > click Advanced - Click Owner > click Edit - Select your Username > click OK

Click OK on the Windows Security box

Change Permissions of the file:

- Click Permissions > click Change Permissions

- Select your Username > click Edit

- Checkmark Allow for Full control

- Click OK - Click OK

Click Yes on the Windows Security box

- Click OK

You will need to remember the names of your font(s) that you want to delete.

Delete the file:

Will need to start Safe mode with command prompt

Restart your computer and tap F-8 continually, this will bring you to your Advanced Boot Options, select Safe mode with command prompt.

Once you have booted:

In command prompt navigate to fonts:

- type cd c:\windows\fonts > press enter

- type del "font name" > press enter *Do not use the quotes around the font name

This should bring you back to a clean prompt.

Once you are finished > Ctrl+Alt+Del > select restart from the arrow in the bottom right corner of your screen and start Windows normally.

Hope this helps

As the Windows Security box states; this could cause Windows to act differently. Make sure you know which fonts you are removing and that Windows does not need them before you remove any protected system fonts. This could cause many complications with your installation of Windows.

Chris.H

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

0 comments

133 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-06-25T19:42:06+00:00
Today, 25 June 2016: I have been able to delete the foreign fonts from WordPerfect X4 by deleting them in the Registry. I tried every suggestion I could find on Google, but none worked for me, even when I signed in & worked as Administrator. (I have to use WPX4 because Windows 7 which updated itself a few days ago -SP1? - prevents me from installing WPX5 or X6.) I made a list of all the foreign fonts in the main Font folder in Control Panel. I ran Regedit, chose Edit, chose Find, then typed in the first font Batang and registry search pulled up the first listing. Not until the 2-3 Find Next did I find the Fonts -- HKEY_Local Machine...then Software...then Microsoft...then Windows...then Current Version...THEN! Side By Side...THEN! Winners -- this is where the Font files are hidden!!!!! Go down the list, and for every font you want to delete, right click it, choose Delete, choose OK. (You'll want to turn off your speakers or the warning beep each time you delete will make you crazy.) Go slow and check your list carefully. When you're done in the Font file, check the other Font folders above & below, to make sure you have deleted all the foreign fonts you wanted to. When finished, choose File, then Exit. When I opened WP, all the foreign fonts were gone
- except @chs_boot, @cht_boot, @jpn_boot, chs_boot, cht_boot, jpn_boot, and wgl4_boot. I went back to Regedit, keyed those various "boots" in but no success. Those still remain in the WP Font list. I did not have any problems until I took the free Windows 10, and it loaded all these fonts; besides which, it is impossible to find my work because everything is in one long list instead of in folders as I used to have. Anyway, I reverted to Windows 7, but all those fonts remained. If you're doing well on Windows 7, my advice is to stick with it until/unless MS fixes this!
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2016-05-24T06:29:33+00:00

Hi, Worldwalker.

If you upgrade to Windows 10, I think you'll find we've gone in a direction you'll appreciate. Most of the non-Latin fonts have been moved into optional features.

If you enable a language — Thai, say — by adding it to your user profile (same as enabling a keyboard), then it will automatically install the optional fonts for you; and you can pick any of the optional packages manually. But you don't have to do any of those things. And if you don't, then you'll have about 230 MB less in fonts than you would have in earlier versions.

For more details, see this post: Some fonts are missing after upgrade.

I hope that's useful info.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2016-05-23T19:27:25+00:00

I agree on all three counts: An articulate complaint, a hideous nightmare, and enrages me daily.

I recently purchased a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, and have added about 20 fonts to my library--which can mean anywhere from 4-8 additional fonts each. Now scrolling through the unwanted fonts is even more troublesome because my list of "wanted fonts" is substantially longer.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

2016-05-23T18:56:39+00:00

Thanks for an articulate complaint about a hideous nightmare that enrages me daily.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments