How to Install New Fonts to Your Computer

A computer font is a typeface, a style of text that displays on your computer. Most computers are equipped with the very basic font sets: Arial, Georgia, Trebuchet, Times New Roman, MS Sans Serif, and etc. But if you are looking for more options and better style, you can download new fonts from the Internet. Some fonts cost money, but many fonts are absolutely free. Some of the typical websites where I get my fonts:

daFont.com
1001FreeFonts
CoolText Fonts

And Smashing Magazine has loads of articles and showcases displaying beautiful fonts and where to get them.

So let’s say you have downloaded your font from the Internet. What’s next? Here’s what you do:

How to Install New Fonts to Your Computer

1. Extract the downloaded font folder. Most fonts are packaged into little compressed, or zipped, folders when you download them. To unzip the folder, right-click on it. Select “Extract All” from the menu. Choose the location where you want to place the extracted folder. I usually choose the desktop, and then I delete the file later, after I install the font.

2. Open the font folder you extracted. In the window, you’ll see at least one file– the font file. Sometimes you may see additional files or folders, such as a Read Me file from the font creator (usually stating the terms of the use of the font- it’s a good idea to read this), or a folder for installing the font to Mac computers. You may ignore those folders, and delete them later, if you wish.

3. Install the font. Right-click over the font file. Select “Install” from the menu.

4. Check for the font. Depending on your computer speed and etc, the new font may not be immediately visible in your font folder. Sometimes I have had to reboot my computer. Check for the font: go to the Start Menu and type “fonts” in the search bar (or go to Computer >> C: drive >> Windows >> Fonts). Click on the font folder to open your installed fonts. Look for the new font.

Now, when you open your word processor or image-editing program or email, or any program that uses fonts, your new font will be in the list of fonts available. Use as you do all the other fonts.

In Summary:

1. Download the font.
2. Extract the font.
3. Install the font.
4. Check that the font is installed.
5. Use the new font.