Installing a new font in Windows 11 makes it available in Word, PowerPoint, Photoshop and almost every other app. Windows supports TrueType (.ttf), OpenType (.otf) and TrueType Collection (.ttc) fonts, and installation takes seconds. This guide covers installing from a file, drag-and-drop in Settings, the Microsoft Store, installing for all users, and removing fonts.
Quick Answer
Download the font and extract it if it’s in a ZIP file. Right-click the .ttf or .otf file and choose Install (or Install for all users). Restart any open apps to see the new font.
Step 1: Get a Font From a Trusted Source
- Free, open-licensed fonts: Google Fonts, Font Squirrel and similar sites.
- Commercial fonts from type foundries, with a license that covers your use (personal vs. commercial).
- Avoid sites offering “free” copies of paid fonts; they can violate licenses and may include malware.
Fonts often download as a ZIP. Right-click it and choose Extract All.
Method 1: Right-Click Install
- Open the extracted folder.
- Right-click the font file (.ttf, .otf or .ttc). You may need Show more options.
- Choose Install for your account, or Install for all users (requires admin rights).
Select several font files first to install them all at once. Double-clicking a font opens a preview with an Install button too.
Method 2: Drag and Drop in Settings
- Open Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
- Drag font files from File Explorer onto the Drag and drop to install box.
Method 3: Microsoft Store
In Settings > Personalization > Fonts, click Get more fonts in Microsoft Store, pick a font and click Get.
Method 4: Copy to the Fonts Folder
Open C:\Windows\Fonts (or type shell:fonts in the Run box) and drag font files into the window. This installs them for all users.
Use the Font in Apps
- Close and reopen apps like Word or Photoshop so they load the new font list.
- In Office, find the font in the font list on the Home tab.
- To share a document that uses a custom font, embed it: in Word, File > Options > Save > Embed fonts in the file (if the font’s license allows).
Remove a Font
- Go to Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
- Click the font family, then click Uninstall.
Don’t remove system fonts like Segoe UI; Windows needs them.
Troubleshooting
- No Install option: the file may still be inside a ZIP, or it’s not a Windows font format (for example, .woff web fonts). Extract the ZIP or find a .ttf/.otf version.
- Font doesn’t show in an app: restart the app; some apps only see fonts installed for all users.
- “File is not a valid font file”: the download may be corrupted; download it again from the source.
- Font looks wrong: make sure you installed the full family (Regular, Bold, Italic files).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install Mac fonts on Windows?
Most .otf and .ttf fonts work on both. Old Mac-only font suitcase files don’t.
How many fonts can I install?
There’s no practical limit, but thousands of fonts can slow down apps that load font lists.
Is it the same on Windows 10?
Yes. The same methods work in Windows 10.
Summary
- Download and extract the font.
- Right-click the .ttf/.otf file and choose Install.
- Or drag it onto Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
- Restart apps to use it.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.