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
    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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  2. Anonymous
    2011-12-12T23:42:59+00:00

    Hello Kass_P,

     Are you trying to uninstall fonts that you installed, from a third party?  If so, does their website have instructions on how to uninstall? 

     Are you trying to delete the font with the same steps described as below?

    1. Open Fonts by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Appearance and Personalization, and then clicking Fonts.
    2. Click the font you want to delete. To select more than one font at a time, press and hold down the Ctrl key while you click each font.
    3. On the toolbar, click Delete.

    Please let us know status.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-10T16:19:51+00:00

    Hi Hany Rosh,

    Step 1: Try deleting the fonts in Safe Mode and check if the issue persists.

    Safe mode starts Windows with a limited set of files and drivers. Startup programs don't run in safe mode, and only the basic drivers needed to start Windows are installed.

    Refer this link to boot into Safe Mode:

    Start your computer in safe mode**http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Start-your-computer-in-safe-mode**

    Step 2: Use the Windows Installer Cleanup uitility and uninstall the fonts completely.

    Download, install, and then run the Windows Installer CleanUp utility to remove the settings related to the font installation.

    Refer the following link to do the same:

    Description of the Windows Installer CleanUp Utility

    http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;290301

    Regards,

    Divya R – Microsoft Support.

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