How to Change Font in Windows 10: Step-by-Step Guide

This detailed tutorial explains how to change the font in Windows 10. It also explains how to set the default font, how to return to the original font and other similar procedures.

Windows 10 introduces simplistic and easy-to-navigate user interface graphics, which is very helpful, but sometimes it may be boring to have the default system font. In this article, you will learn how to change the font if you would like to give Windows a new look simply by selecting your preferred font.

Although the default system font used in the Windows 10 OS is Segoe UI, you can change it to your preferred font by applying a few quick tweaks. This guide will not only show how to change the font but also how to restore it to default if necessary. Let’s get started!

Table of Contents

Why Would You Want to Change the Default Font in Windows 10?

Segoe UI is the new and elegant font used as the default system font. However, the constant use of it day in and day out might make you look for the next best thing on the market. Changing default system fonts is always possible to make your user interface more appealing or unique or at least easier on the eyes.

Some common reasons for customizing system fonts include:

Personal Preference: You may like some of the font styles that keep the user experience aesthetically interesting.
Accessibility Needs: Some fonts are considered for users with visual disability due to their readability.
Brand Representation: Organizations may prefer the operating systems and graphical user interfaces to display a particular font type because it is trendy.
Aesthetic Appeal: The different fonts can completely transform your user interface and provide you with a totally new computing experience.

The next guide will explain how to change the default system font on a Windows 10 PC, whether it’s necessary or simply for aesthetics.

How to Change the Default Font in Windows 10 Using Registry Editor

Currently, there is no universally accessible setting choice within the Settings or Control Panel for explicitly changing system fonts in Windows 10. This means that in order to change the default font for Windows 10, you’ll need to dive into the dark and mysterious world of the Registry Editor. Interestingly, this may sound technical, but it is more or less a basic and straightforward approach.

Follow these steps to change the default system font:

Step 1: Find the Name of the Font You Want to Set as Default

Before you make any changes, you must identify the official name of the font you want to set. Here’s how you can do this:

To do this, press Win + I on your keyboard, and the Settings window will open.
Click on Personalization.
Click the Fonts link located on the left side of the page.
Move your cursor over the options to select the font you need. Then click on the font you want to set as the default.
Check the name written on top of the window. This is the exact title of your font, which will be required for further actions in its creation.

Make a note of this font name

Step 2: Open Notepad to Create Your Registry Hack

The next step involves creating the .reg file with the help of Notepad to alter system settings. This File will write the entries into the Windows Registry to modify the system fonts.

Here’s how you can proceed:

Open the Start menu and type Notepad there; Press the ‘Enter’ key to run the Notepad application.

Copy the following text into the Notepad editor:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

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

“Segoe UI (TrueType)”=””

“Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)”=””

“Segoe UI Bold Italic (TrueType)” =””

“Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)” =””

“Segoe UI Light (TrueType)” =””

“Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)”=””

“Segoe UI Symbol (TrueType)”

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]

“Segoe UI”=”YOUR_FONT_NAME”

Insert your actual font name here, which you obtained in the font settings part above, in place of YOUR_FONT_NAME. Ensure that the name is retained within the quotation marks.

Step 3: Save the Notepad Document as a Registry File

After copying the above code into Notepad and replacing the placeholder with your chosen font name:

Go to File> Save As.
For the values of the File Name field, type: myfontchange.reg
After that, in the list in the Save As type field, choose All Files.
Once you’ve done this, you should select the folder where the File is to be saved, such as the Desktop Folder.
Click Save.

Step 4: Run the Registry Hack

Once you have saved the .reg file, you need to merge it into your system’s Registry:

Navigate to the saved File’s location.
Go to the folder where you saved the File in.
Right-click my font change.reg.
Select Merge.
After that, you are to click ‘Yes’ in response to the prompt message/

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

Once you have integrated the Windows Registry changes, close your current session and open a new one to effect the new default system font changes.

Click on the Start Menu.
Select the Power Icon.
Click Restart.

After rebooting your device, the new font of your choice is applied throughout menus, dialog boxes, and other elements.

How to Reset the Default Font Back to Original in Windows 10

What if you decide to use another font and then get back to Windows default font setting? This is simple and can be achieved by creating a separate registry hack:

Step 1: Open Notepad Again

Press Windows + S, type Notepad, and Press Enter.

Copy and paste the following code into the Notepad editor:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

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

“Segoe UI (TrueType)”=”segoeui.ttf”

“Segoe UI Bold (TrueType)”=”segoeuib.ttf”

“Segoe UI Italic (TrueType)”=”segoeuii.ttf”

“Segoe UI Light (TrueType)”=”segoeuil.ttf”

“Segoe UI Semibold (TrueType)”=”seguisb.ttf”

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]

“Segoe UI” =-1

Step 2: Save & Merge

Save the File as restorefont.reg.
Right-click and select Merge.
Confirm with Yes on both prompts.

Step 3: Restart Your Computer

Reboot your system to revert to the default Segoe UI system font.

Final Thoughts

Changing or customizing your font in Windows 10 is straightforward when you use the Registry Editor and follow the correct steps. Whether you’re doing it for aesthetic reasons, accessibility, or personal choice, this guide should help you transform your user interface in no time.

Remember, any changes in the Windows Registry should always be approached carefully if you’re uncertain, back up your system first to avoid unwanted issues.

Now that you know how to change and reset the system font feel free to experiment with different fonts to create a personalized look for your Windows 10 system.

Also Read: What Is “Black Crush” on a Display?