HomeWinBuzzer TipsHow to Change the System Font in Windows 10 (or Restore It...

How to Change the System Font in Windows 10 (or Restore It to Default)

We show you how to change system font in Windows 10, or restore it again if you don't like the changes.

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The Windows default font these days is Segoe UI, a fairly simple and no-nonsense typeface that's used across many of 's products. However, though some like this subdued style, others look to change Windows font to something with a bit more personality.

Thankfully, Microsoft does let you change Windows fonts, but it doesn't make it particularly easy. This is likely because doing so can have unintended consequences, such as causing issues with your system clock.

We're going to show you safely change the font in while fixing issues with the clock. We'll also be walking you through how to restore default fonts in Windows 10 if you don't like the changes.

How to Change the Font in Windows 10 with a Registry Key

As mentioned earlier, a change of Windows font isn't as easy as a settings switch, but it's still not too technical. All it requires is a text editor such as notepad and a font you like. First, though, you need to discover the full name for its font family.

  1. Open personalization settings


    Right-click on your desktop and choose “Personalize”.

    Windows 10 - Desktop Context Menu - Personalize

  2. Click “Fonts” and check the list


    Windows 10 - Settings - Personalization - Fonts

  3. Note your font family name


    Find the font you want to use in the settings interface and note its name in Windows, which will be indicated as below.

    Windows 10 - Settings - Font Name

  4. Create a new text document


    On your desktop, right-click and select “New > Text Document”.

    Windows 10 - Desktop Context Menu - New Text Document

  5. Rename it to “change-to-personal-font.reg”


    Click away or press “Enter” to save the changes.

    Windows 10 - Rename to .REG file

  6. Accept the file extension change


    Windows will warn you that changing the file extension (from .txt to .reg) may cause it to become unusable. We know this isn't the case, so you can safely click “Yes”.

    Windows 10 - Rename to .REG file - Confirmation

  7. Edit the .reg file


    Right-click the .reg file and select “Edit”.

    Windows 10 - .REG-file - Context Menu - Edit

  8. Add the change Windows font registry code


    In your text document, paste the following:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
    "Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""
    "Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"=""
    "Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"=""
    "Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"=""
    "Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"=""
    "Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"=""
    "Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"=""
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
    "Segoe UI"="ENTER-NEW-FONT-NAME"


    Replace ENTER-NEW-FONT-NAME with the font family you identified earlier.

    Windows 10 - Notepad - Paste Text and add Font Name

  9. Add your new Windows font name


    Windows 10 - Notepad - Add Font Name

  10. Save the document


    Click “File” from the top bar, then “Save”. You can close the document.

    Windows 10 - Notepad - Save

  11. Change Windows font


    Make a registry backup, then Right-click the .reg file on your desktop and choose “Merge”.

    Windows 10 - .REG-file - Context Menu - Merge

  12. Accept the Windows font change


    When the UAC Account Control prompt surfaces, click “Yes”.

    Windows 10 - Merge .REG-file - UAC Confirmation

  13. Agree to the registry change


    In the registry editor pop-up, click “Yes”. Restart your PC.

    Windows 10 - Merge .REG-file - Confirmation

  14. Check for your new Windows default font


    If the changes were successful, you'll notice a change to your font after restarting your PC. If you notice a square where your clock's separator should be, edit your ssShortTime registry entry in HKEY_Current_User\ControlPanel\International to use ? instead of the default colon symbol. Save the changes and restart.

    Windows 10 with changed System font

How to Restore Default Fonts in Windows 10

As mentioned earlier, a change of Windows font isn't as easy as a settings switch, but it's still not too technical. All it requires is a text editor such as notepad and a font you like. First, though, you need to discover the full name for its font family.

  1. Create a text document


    Right-click your desktop and then click “New > Text Document”.

    Windows 10 - Desktop Context Menu - New Text Document

  2. Rename it to “restore-system-font.reg”


    Click away to save the changes.

    Windows 10 - change to .REG-file

  3. Accept the extension change


    Click “Yes” to save the extension change, as we can be sure we'll be able to edit the file still.

    Windows 10 - Confirm File Extension Change

  4. Edit the .reg file


    Right-click the .reg file and select “Edit”.

    Windows 10 - .REG-file - Context Menu - Edit

  5. Add the restore default fonts in Windows 10 registry instructions


    In your text document, paste the following:

    Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
    "Segoe UI (TrueType)"="segoeui.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Black (TrueType)"="seguibl.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Black Italic (TrueType)"="seguibli.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)"="segoeuib.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuiz.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Emoji (TrueType)"="seguiemj.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Historic (TrueType)"="seguihis.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)"="segoeuii.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Light (TrueType)"="segoeuil.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Light Italic (TrueType)"="seguili.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)"="seguisb.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Semibold Italic (TrueType)"="seguisbi.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Semilight (TrueType)"="segoeuisl.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Semilight Italic (TrueType)"="seguisli.ttf"
    "Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)"="seguisym.ttf"
    "Segoe MDL2 Assets (TrueType)"="segmdl2.ttf"
    "Segoe Print (TrueType)"="segoepr.ttf"
    "Segoe Print Bold (TrueType)"="segoeprb.ttf"
    "Segoe Script (TrueType)"="segoesc.ttf"
    "Segoe Script Bold (TrueType)"="segoescb.ttf"
    
    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes] "Segoe UI"=-



    Windows 10 - Notepad - Paste Regedit Code to Restore System Font

  6. Save the file


    Click “File” from the top bar, then “Save”. Close the document.

    Windows 10 - Notepad - Save .REG-Key to Restore System Font

  7. Restore the default fonts in Windows 10


    Right-click the .reg and choose “Merge”.

    Windows 10 - REG-Key to Restore System Font - Context Menu - Merge

  8. Accept the Windows font change


    Click “Yes” to the UAC prompt.

    Windows 10 - Merge .REG-Key - UAC Confirmation

  9. Agree to the registry change


    In the registry editor pop-up, click “Yes”. Restart your PC.

    Windows 10 - Merge .REG-Key - Regedit Confirmation

Ryan Maskell
Ryan Maskellhttps://ryanmaskell.co.uk
Ryan has had a passion for gaming and technology since early childhood. Fusing the skills from his Creative Writing and Publishing degree with profound technical knowledge, he enjoys covering news about Microsoft. As an avid writer, he is also working on his debut novel.