Where is Word getting its fonts?

My Fonts folder at C:/Windows/Fonts is practically empty, yet Word and other programs have a full list of fonts in the menus. Everything works, but I am still nervous & would like to get the fonts into the fonts folder from wherever they are. Is there any way to tell where Word is getting the fonts info from?
Answer
Answer

Your Fonts folder isn't corrupt.  Some of your fonts have their HIDDEN attribute set and Windows Explorer won't show those files.  You can see them in the command prompt window by entering

dir /a:h

to display the files with the hidden attribute.  You should see something like this:

C:\WINDOWS\Fonts>dir /a:h
 Volume in drive C is System
 Volume Serial Number is F866-9467

 Directory of C:\WINDOWS\Fonts

08/23/2001  01:00 PM            10,976 8514fix.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            10,976 8514fixe.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            11,520 8514fixg.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            10,976 8514fixr.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            11,488 8514fixt.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            12,288 8514oem.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            13,248 8514oeme.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            12,800 8514oemg.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            13,200 8514oemr.fon
08/23/2001  01:00 PM            12,720 8514oemt.fon

There are the fonts Explorer won't show you even though the Font menus in Windows applications can see the hidden fonts and will present them.  From some things I've read, Windows requires that the SYSTEM and HIDDEN attributes be set for some fonts.   If you wish to remove the HIDDEN attibute from all of the font files that have it enabled, enter the command

attrib -h *.*

to clear it on all files.  Explorer and DIR should then agree., so be cautious if you elect to do this.  If you decide to experiment, create a script from the DIR command output to add the HIDDEN attribute back on to those files from which you remove it.


Brian Tillman [MVP-Outlook]
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Brian

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Answer
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1. On my pc (same config as yours) its c:\windows\fonts (633 items).

2. Pull up a DOS prompt (Start / All Programs / Accessories / Command Prompt).

DOS window should launch.

3. Go back to root if necessary (type in cd\)

4. You should now be at:-

C:\>

5. Now type in:-

cd\windows\fonts\

You should now be at:-

C:\Windows\Fonts>

6. Type in:-

dir /p

Hit any key to get you down this list.

If I do this I get 633 files.

7. Are you are not seeing that?  (the file extensions for my fonts are .ttf .fon).

8. This is where you should be now:-

C:\Windows\Fonts>

9. Type in:-

cd\

to get you back to root:-

C:\>

10. Now search for the files for which you are looking (.ttf files or .fon files):-

dir *.ttf /s /p

The above will search for .ttf files. To search for .fon files just change the command and put in .fon instead of .ttf

11. Running the above command should echo back with the directory(ies) of what you are looking for.

If my comments have helped please Vote As Helpful.

Thanks.

 

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Last updated April 12, 2025 Views 4,889 Applies to: