How to Install a Font on a Windows PC

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Welcome to my tutorial on how to install a font on a Windows PC! I have several links to free fonts around my site, and I often get questions on how to install them.

So, I decided to make a step-by-step picture tutorial.

Installing fonts might seem tricky at first, but I promise you’ll get the hang of it in no time.

While it looks like there’s a lot of steps, after you’ve done it a few times, it might not take you longer than 30 seconds.

If you’re looking for some fonts to download, you might want to check out 14 Free for Commercial Use Script Fonts or 14 Amazing Free Monogram Fonts.

If you want to learn how to install fonts on a Mac, click here.

Important: After installing new fonts, you may need to restart the program you would like to use them in. Cricut Design Space and Silhouette Studio will need to be restarted in order for you to see your new fonts.

How to Install a Font on a Windows PC

Step 1

The font I am installing for this tutorial is Inflatable Flamingo. You can download this font for free here.

If you’re following along, click the big green button to download the font. Otherwise, download whatever font it is that you would like to install to your computer.

Step 2

Navigate to the folder where your font has been downloaded. Mine is in my downloads folder. When you download most fonts, they come in a Zip Folder.

You can identify a zip folder by the big zipper on it, pictured below. After locating the zip folder, right click on it.

After right clicking on the folder, a menu will appear. To unzip the folder, you need to click on “Extract All“.

Step 3

A window will then appear asking you to choose the destination for your files. I went with the default settings here, but if you would like the folder to unzip to somewhere else, you are welcome to change the destination.

Make sure that “Show extracted files when complete” is checked, then click on Extract.

Step 4

A new window should appear. You will then see the same folder as before, however now the folder is unzipped! Double click the folder to open it.

This is where your results may differ from mine. In this folder, there are a few different file types. The actual font files are the .OTF and .TTF files.

These stand for Open Type Font, and True Type Font. Some fonts you download may only include .OTF, others may only include .TTF.

For this tutorial, I’ll be installing the .OTF. Open Type Fonts have a wider range of features in many programs such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.

However, both file types will work just fine in programs like Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Studio. You only need to install one.

Double click on the .OTF (or .TTF) file to install it.

Step 5

A new window will open, previewing your font. At the top, you’ll see two options: Print and Install. Click on Install. A small window may appear telling you that your font is installing, but it should disappear very quickly.

After your font is installed, the Install button should be grayed out. Congratulations! You’ve successfully installed a font. Once you get the hang of it, it’s a very quick and easy process.

Important: After installing new fonts, you may need to restart the program you would like to use them in. Cricut Design Space and Silhouette Studio will need to be restarted in order for you to see your new fonts.

Thanks for reading my guide on how to install a font on your Windows PC. I hope it was helpful!

Here’s some of my favorite places to find amazing fonts:

Font Bundles

TheHungryJpeg

Creative Fabrica

Creative Market

I also have a few lists of my favorite fonts:

14 Amazing Free Monogram Fonts

14 Free For Commercial Use Script Fonts

12 Christmas Fonts for a Festive Holiday Season

10 Halloween Fonts for your Creative Business