Removing foreign language fonts

Anonymous
2009-10-30T16:13:49+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Accessibility

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Anonymous
2009-12-05T14:33:12+00:00

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.

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-01-17T02:04:39+00:00

    How can I get a list of all System Fonts, that should NOT be deleted?

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-12-23T14:49:53+00:00

    Not sure if it's been mentioned earlier in the thread, but Unlocker is a great tool for deleting these fonts: http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/

    Also, after they're gone, if you still want to be able to view foreign language characters (rather than blank unicode boxes), there's this all-in-one font: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code2000

    Tried it, but it apparently doesn't work with fonts. Most of the time, Unlocker doesn't show up in the context menu, and when it does, it goes through the motions of deleting the chosen font, but doesn't actually delete it.

    To anyone trying this, make sure you uncheck the box to install the Babylon toolbar (unless you actually want it).

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-12-23T08:35:06+00:00

    Not sure if it's been mentioned earlier in the thread, but Unlocker is a great tool for deleting these fonts: http://www.emptyloop.com/unlocker/

    Also, after they're gone, if you still want to be able to view foreign language characters (rather than blank unicode boxes), there's this all-in-one font: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Code2000

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-06-05T11:06:56+00:00

    This is ridiculous. So many steps to delete one font file - and in the end it still doesn't work, because the CMD tells you "file not found".

    Please grow up Microsoft. This you do only to annoy users and to show your power.

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