How to Delete Protected System Fonts in Windows

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Determine if the font actually is a Protected System Font.

   Go to C:\Windows\Fonts (or Start Menu → Control Panel → Appearance and Personalization → Fonts), right click on a font, and select "Delete".
   
   If the font is protected, you will receive an error message saying "is a Protected System Font and cannot be deleted."
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   Step 2: Open the Registry Editor.

   Type "regedit" into the Start menu and press enter.
   
   Click "Yes" on the security warning. ,,, If your unwanted font is still there (meaning Windows really doesn't want you to delete it), you will need to follow these next steps. ,, These folders are where Windows stores backup copies of the fonts it doesn't want you to delete. , If you try to delete the folder or a font in it now, you will receive an error message saying you need permission from "TrustedInstaller" to perform the action.
   
   What you need to do instead is declare yourself the owner of the folder and then give yourself permission to edit it. ,, You will see that the folder's current owner is TrustedInstaller. ,,,, You are now the owner of the folder and the font file within it. ,, If you try the other way around, Windows will tell you the folder is open in another program, even if you have no other programs running. , Refer to steps 2-4. , The font will no longer be available in any programs, meaning it is gone unless you re-install it.
   
   If you do re-install the font, you will be able to delete it whenever you wish.
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   Step 3: On the left side of the Editor

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   Step 4: open the folders HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE → Software → Microsoft → Windows NT → CurrentVersion → Fonts.

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   Step 5: On the right side of the window

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   Step 6: select the fonts you want to delete

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   Step 7: right click on them and select "Delete".

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   Step 8: Open any program in which you can change the font.

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   Step 9: Go to the folder C:\Windows\winsxs.

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    Step 10: Scroll about a fifth of the way down the long list of folders

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    Step 11: and you should see a series of folders beginning with "amd64_microsoft-windows-font-truetype-"

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    Step 12: where is the name of a font.

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    Step 13: Right click on the folder containing the font you want to delete and select "Properties".

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    Step 14: Click the "Security" tab and click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the window.

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    Step 15: Click the "Owner" tab in the resulting window

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    Step 16: then click "Edit".

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    Step 17: In the new window

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    Step 18: click on either "Administrators" or the name of your account

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    Step 19: check the box next to "Replace owner on subcontainers and objects

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    Step 20: " and click OK.

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    Step 21: Click OK on all the other Properties windows you opened to get out of them.

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    Step 22: Open the folder's properties again (right click on it and select "Properties")

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    Step 23: click the "Security" tab

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    Step 24: and click "Edit".

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    Step 25: Select the account you chose in step 11

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    Step 26: check the box under "Full control"

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    Step 27: and click "OK".

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    Step 28: Exit the Properties window.

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    Step 29: Delete the font file first

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    Step 30: then delete the folder.

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    Step 31: Go into the Registry Editor again and delete the font's entry.

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    Step 32: Restart your computer.

Detailed Guide

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