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
    2013-12-03T03:18:36+00:00

    Something that worked for me was to go to Task Manager > Services > Font Cache and then click the "Services..." button at the bottom with that selected. Then, scroll down to "Windows Font Cache Service", right click > Properties > Stop Service & select "Disable" from drop down list. Restart computer, delete font (you may have to refresh your fonts folder when you reboot). Go back to services and follow the steps above except select "Automatic" from the drop down list for the "Windows Font Cache Service" and click Start. Hope this helps!

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T16:53:40+00:00

    wow that's very annoying.

    have you tried closing all programs, then following the procedure, then restarting PC?

    I know it's a pain but worth a shot.

    Also, in your "normal" folder view, i.e. not the Win Fonts folder, turn off the "preview" pane on the right hand side as this also uses the font.

    Really hope this helps you..I know how annoying this bug is. Good luck! :)

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-10-23T15:09:53+00:00

    google: How to Delete Protected System Fonts in Windows 7 18 Steps wikihow

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