System claims all fonts are "In Use" when I try to delete them

Anonymous
2010-05-09T17:21:03+00:00

I am attempting to delete some non-system fonts that I installed.  Every time I try, no matter what the font, I am told that the font cannot be deleted because it is "in use".  It does not matter if I close every single program running and double-check that no word processors (I use Open Office) are running through Task Manager, the system will not allow me to delete any fonts.

Please help.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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.

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Anonymous
2012-05-07T11:35:25+00:00

Could it be this simple?  It worked for me!

http://forums.techarena.in/vista-help/1189255.htm

The Windows Font folder itself is using the font, hence why you can't delete the font - i.e. the very tool you're using to delete the font is using said font and thus locking the file!

When in the Fonts folder click:

Organize > Layout > Untick 'Details pane' > Now try deleting the font.

Worked a treat for me.

Seriously needs addressing in the next service pack.

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Anonymous
2013-10-27T19:11:27+00:00

All, 

I MIGHT JUST HAVE THE FIX FOR THIS!!

I've been struggling for 1 hour to delete a font and I've finally done it.

I renamed the font and I could delete it immediately!

Before deleting it I set all the permissions to allow. I don't know if that helped but ultimately it worked.

I was in safe mode and that didn't work until the renaming trick.

Good luck.

G

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-09-03T20:09:56+00:00

    Another solution is to

    1. Open Task Manager
    2. Processestab
    3. Delete a process with the name description Preview Surrogate Host

    (something along those lines, can't remember it's full name)

    which basically stops the preview pane on the right in the window explorer

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-14T12:26:35+00:00

    Could it be this simple?  It worked for me!

     

    http://forums.techarena.in/vista-help/1189255.htm

     

    The Windows Font folder itself is using the font, hence why you can't delete the font - i.e. the very tool you're using to delete the font is using said font and thus locking the file!

     

    When in the Fonts folder click:

     

    Organize > Layout > Untick 'Details pane' > Now try deleting the font.

     

    Worked a treat for me.

     

    Seriously needs addressing in the next service pack.

    DID NOT WORK FOR ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! STILL SAME ERROR MESSAGE IN USE!!!!!! THIS DOES NOT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-12-01T20:33:43+00:00

    I'd like to know if anyone figured this out. Surely, Windows 7 allows one to delete a font.  Mine will only delete if I select a range of fonts.  Then, it will delete all the fonts in the range except one.  I just haven't been able to determine how it decides which one it won't delete.

    The specific issue for me right now is that I have a font for which there is an update.  They say to be sure to delete the original version first. Windows 7 won't let me.  In  Windows Explorer, I navigate to C://Windows/Fonts, right click on the font and choose delete.

    It shows a pop up box that says the font can't be deleted because it is in use. Choices are to Try Again, Skip or Always Skip.  The font is not in use in any files I have open.  It's not one I've used a lot, if ever.

    This has come up before and I've just gotten frustrated and quit trying.

    Please help.

    Thanks!

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