How to Install Fonts on a PC

It's been a lot of fun to share so many new fonts with you lately, like the latest batch with Free Calligraphy & Handwriting Fonts. A few of you have asked, "How do you install fonts?" Since I'm here to help, today I'm going to share an easy step by step on how to install fonts onto your computer. If you're a Mac girl (or guy) don't worry, my girl Beth at Stories of A to Z will walk you through it.

*Warning: It looks overwhelming, but after you do it once, you can do it in just a few seconds, it really is simple so don't get scared by all the steps. I just want to make sure that I'm sharing every single step so you can do it, m'kay?

First things first: Find your font. Once you choose a font, click "Download" to put it onto your computer. Depending upon your settings, you will either get a prompt to choose where to download it - or it will go directly to your "downloads" folder (found in your menu.) After you download the file, open the folder where the download went.

Font files are always downloaded a zip file (well, all the ones I've downloaded are.) To access the actual font information to install it, you will need to "unzip" the file. To do this, right click on the zipped font file, then choose "Extract All" from the pop up menu.

Once you've unzipped the file, it will look like any normal file on your computer. To get to the actual font information, you will need to open up this folder. Just like any other file, either double click the folder, or right click and choose "Open" from the pop up menu.

Now that you have the font files unburied, next you'll need to find the actual font files that are on your computer. The easiest way is to go into your start menu and choose "Computer" which will open up a window. In the top right hand corner of that window is a search bar - type FONTS into the box and hit enter - and the first file that pops up under search should be your actual fonts folder. Double click that folder to open it in the window (or right click and choose "Open.")

Put the font window on one side of the screen, and your font folder on the other side, then select the Font Files, making sure that you choose only the actual font files, not the samples or info.

Next, just drag the fonts from their unzipped download folders into the Fonts folder.  Once the install box disappears, close all the windows and you're done! If you're downloading more than one font at a time, don't close the Fonts window until you've installed them all, though.

Now, when you open up any font capable program, like Word, Picasa, Photoshop, etc. the fonts will be ready to go.

Looking for some fonts to start with? You can find some great ones in my free fonts collections
15 Fabulous Free Fonts
Eleven Lovely Free Fonts
Free Calligraphy and Script Fonts
15 Fun & Free Fonts

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