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Can't install fonts - Windows 10

Anonymous
2017-11-26T16:47:22+00:00

Windows 10, Version: 1703, Build: 15063.729

I currently cannot install new fonts

Attempted methods:

  • right click font file on desktop & select "install"
  • double click font file on desktop to open preview and use the "install" button
  • drag font file from desktop (and also tried from download directory) and drop the file into font directory (C:\Windows\Fonts)

All result in an error window with the following text:

Explorer.EXE

Windows Font Folder

The device is not ready

[Close]

This may seem like a matter of little concern, but as I am currently working on some graphic design, my livelihood depends on my ability to install and use fonts for my projects.

I have used the command prompt to scan for errors (run SFC) which displayed no problems

I have used CCleaner to perform a registry backup and 'clean'

Please can someone help, as this is directly impacting my productivity and has already consumed at least 2 hours of my day attempting to just find out what the error actually means & attempt fixes.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Performance and system failures

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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Anonymous
2017-11-26T23:47:28+00:00

I too had seen an old thread with the mention of firewall problems,

My problem persists even after disabling firewall (and still persists after re-enabling firewall)

I do however have a 'functional' if less than perfect resolution I found elsewhere that has resolved my problem. I shall include some details below for you so that you may be able to help others in future.

Please note: The resolution I have used is not useful for those that are not comfortable editing with regedit.

Furthermore, the resolution I propose is to disable Windows UAC and this renders the computer more vulnerable to potentially malicious software.

While I'm personally happy to go through this process others might not.

I shall state however that I do intend to restart UAC once I have actually found a proper and fitting solution to my problem.

Manually disabling UAC from within Windows:

  1. Press WINDOWS KEY + R
  2. Type regedit
  3. Click OK
  4. Click Yes if prompted
  5. Go up to the top to File and then down to Export and save a backup somewhere you will remember
  6. In the left pane, browse to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
  7. In the right pane, double-click EnableLUA
  8. Change Value Data to 0
  9. Click OK
  10. Close the Registry Editor
  11. Restart the computer

Again I thank you, Andre for your effort in attempting to help.

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  1. Anonymous
    2017-11-26T16:56:09+00:00

    Where did you download the fonts from?

    Try performing a clean boot then try again.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    You may try these steps to install fonts on the computer.

    a. In the Metro Start Menu click / tap on Windows Explorer.

    b. Browse to the font file. Right click on it and select Install.

    c. You can also install it by copying and then pasting the font file to windows font library. For that, right click on your file and select Copy.

    d. Now browse to C:\Windows\Fonts folder and paste the file.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-27T00:43:02+00:00

    Hey Rich,

    Thank you for sharing the solution with us and paying it forward. I'm sure it will be helpful to other users. Take care.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-11-26T23:10:28+00:00

    I remember some one having a similar issue a few months back and they had to disable th Windows Firewall to get the Fonts to install. You might want to try that.

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  4. Anonymous
    2017-11-26T23:00:33+00:00

    I have, as you have directed, performed a 'clean boot' the problem persists and none of the recommended font installation methods you give yield any result other than I posted in my original question.

    If you see in my original question I had already attempted differing methods of font installation.

    For the sake of absolute clarity, I have attempted a direct copy paste, exactly as you instruct, but it gives the same response.

    I do appreciate your effort to help but sadly I have gained no ground in solving the problem.

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