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
    2014-07-09T11:42:57+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.

    didn't work for me >:(

    Hi, I have just tried almost everything from this thread and, when trying to rename the font file, Windows finally informed me about what is using the files. Actually a small third party Java Runtime applet running in tray (that I forgot to close) was blocking it. So my advice is: make sure you've really closed all the programs :) Good luck!

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-07-03T11:08:52+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.

    didn't work for me >:(

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-03-27T00:36:08+00:00

    thanks that works perfectly. i cant believe the Microsoft support engineer suggested running windows in safe mode just to delete a font, lol!

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