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

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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
    2014-02-25T18:47:36+00:00

    My solution:

    Download & install total commander.

    Navigate within it to the fonts folder. (Be sure that in the total commander preferences you have selected show system files and show hidden files..)

    Select the fonts you want and use the move command (f6) to move them to another directory (I just moved them to my Desktop).

    Restart your PC.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-01-29T02:17:26+00:00

    this really worked!!! thanks!

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-01-08T20:22:13+00:00

    This is the ONLY thing that works.

    Click on properties, change the name and save... delete it and its gone.

    Really annoying problem...

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    3 people found this answer helpful.
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