Share via

Unable to delete font files due to "Font cannot be deleted because it's in use" error

Anonymous
2024-05-31T10:41:52+00:00

Greetings community,

I'm experiencing an issue while trying to delete a font family (Roboto) from my PC. Each time I attempt to delete it, I receive the error message: "Font cannot be deleted because it's in use." I have ensured that no programs are open, rebooted my PC several times, and tried the workaround "Organize > Layout > Untick 'Details pane' > Delete the font," but none of these solutions have resolved the issue. Does anyone have any ideas on how to successfully delete this font?

Thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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.

0 comments

5 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Ramesh Srinivasan 173.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-05-31T11:01:29+00:00

    Hi there,

    Open Regedit.exe and go to:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts

    Export the branch to a .REG file.

    In the right pane, delete the Roboto Black font entry.

    Restart Windows.

    This uninstalls the font from the system. You should be able to delete the corresponding TTF from the Fonts folder.

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2024-05-31T11:04:09+00:00

    Hi Ramesh,

    Unfortunately, I don't have the privilege to edit the registry, and I also prefer not to make changes at the registry level. If you know of any alternative solutions, please let me know.

    Thanks

    0 comments
  3. Ramesh Srinivasan 173.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-05-31T11:30:04+00:00

    Hi there,

    Uninstalling fonts requires admin privileges unless the font was installed per user. So, your best option is to contact your network's IT admin.

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2024-05-31T13:02:22+00:00

    I think I wasn't clear in my last comment. I do have limited admin rights to delete fonts and have successfully deleted many in the past. However, I don't have the rights to modify the registry, nor do I wish to make any registry changes since it's an office computer. Can you suggest any other way to delete the font without modifying the registry?

    0 comments
  5. Ramesh Srinivasan 173.7K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2024-05-31T13:26:20+00:00

    The registry method is the easiest to uninstall the stubborn font.

    Alternatively, start Windows in Safe mode and delete the font via Control Panel.

    If that doesn't help, rename the font file using Command Prompt in Safe mode, as this user did.

    The font should be located in one of these two locations:

    • c:\windows\fonts
    • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts
    0 comments