How to clear the Windows font cache?

Question

How to clear the Windows font cache?

Anonymous

Hello. I have a question about how to delete the font cache in Windows.

The operating systems are Windows 10 and 11.

Can I proceed with the following method?

Question 1) Do I just need to delete the cache in one of paths ② or ③?

Question 2) Or, do I have to delete all the files in paths ② and ③?

① Find the Windows Font Cache service in the service list and click the ‘Stop’ button.

② Delete the contents of the C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache folder.

③ Go to C:\Windows\System32 and find FNTCACHE.DAT and delete it.

④ Restart the Windows Font Cache service.

⑤ Restart the system.

Thank you for your reply.

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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2 additional answers

Answer 1

Yes, you would need to delete all the font cache files in 2, and delete FNTCACHE.DAT in 3.

You do need to take ownership of the folder in 2 after 1 before you'll be able to delete the font cache files in it.

If it helps, the code for the BAT file shown in that tutorial can be used as reference to show you the step by step details.

Answer 2

Hello. Thank you for your answer, but I don't want to delete it using a batch file.

In the question, I asked if I had to delete all the cache files in paths ② and ③ to delete all the Windows font caches.

I'm curious about the technical details, so I'm asking.

Answer 3

Anonymous

Hello,

If you like, you can compare the code for the BAT file in the tutorial below for this, or use it to rebuild the font cache for you.

https://www.elevenforum.com/t/rebuild-font-cache-in-windows-11.2059/

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How to clear the Windows font cache?

2 additional answers