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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.
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.
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.
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
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!
Hello m619,
Thank you for the response. Did you install third party software for Fonts? Are you getting the same error message as the original poster on this thread? Have you reviewed the website where you installed the fonts, to see how to remove?
I would suggest reposting this as a new question with the link provided below. Please include any troubelshooting you have already attempted and any additional error messages you are getting.
Microsoft Answers:
James,
Thank you so much for your response. I had installed a free third party font organizer at one time. It still seems odd that when selecting multiple fonts in Windows Explorer that all of those selected except one will delete, but this solves the problem, if not the mystery.
I appreciate your help!
