Windows recognises both TrueType (.ttf) and OpenType (.otf) files, and installing one takes only a few clicks. If your download arrived as a .zip archive, unzip it first so you can see the individual font files.
Quickest method
- Unzip the downloaded archive if the font is inside a .zip file.
- Double click the .ttf or .otf file to open the font preview window.
- Click the Install button at the top of the preview window.
- Wait a moment, then open your design or word processing app. The font now appears in the font menu.
Install for all users
The double click method installs a font for your account only. To make a font available to every account on the computer, right click the font file and choose Install for all users. You may be asked for administrator permission.
Install several fonts at once
Select multiple font files together, then right click the selection and choose Install. Windows adds them all in one pass, which is handy for font families that ship with separate files for each weight and style.
If the new font does not show up
- Close and reopen the application. Most apps load the font list only at startup.
- Confirm the file is a real font and not a license text file or preview image.
- Open Settings, then Personalisation, then Fonts to confirm the family is listed.
License terms vary from one font to another. Always review the license included with a specific font before using it, especially for commercial work.