Where to find font settings in Windows 10
Windows 10 stores font settings in two places: the Settings app for system-wide changes, and individual programs for document-specific fonts. The fastest route depends on whether you want to change fonts everywhere or just in one place.
For system fonts that affect menus, titles, and notifications across your whole screen, open Settings by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Ease of Access > Display. For fonts in documents, spreadsheets, or web pages, you change them inside the program you are using — Word, Excel, Chrome, or whatever else you have open.
Key Takeaways
- System fonts in Windows 10 are changed through Settings > Ease of Access > Display, where you can increase the text size for menus and titles.
- Document fonts are changed inside the program itself — Word, Excel, Outlook, and most other programs have a font dropdown in their toolbar.
- Windows 10 does not let you swap the default system font to a different typeface, only make it larger or smaller.
- If a program does not respond to font changes, restart the program after changing settings, or check the program's own preferences menu.
- Third-party font managers can install new fonts to your computer, but Windows 10 will not use them for system menus unless you use a registry editor.
Making system text larger in Windows 10
Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Click Ease of Access in the left sidebar, then click Display.
Under "Make text bigger", you will see a slider. Drag it to the right to increase the size of text in menus, title bars, and notifications. The default is 100 percent. You can move it up to 175 percent. After you change it, you may need to sign out and sign back in for the change to take effect on all your programs.
This setting affects system text only — the words in Windows itself. It does not change the font size inside your documents or web pages, which each program controls separately.
Changing fonts in Microsoft Word and Excel
Open the document or spreadsheet. Select the text you want to change by clicking and dragging across it, or press Ctrl + A to select all text.
In the toolbar at the top, you will see a dropdown that shows the current font name — usually "Calibri" or "Arial". Click that dropdown and choose a different font from the list. The text you selected will change when ready. If you want to change the size as well, use the number dropdown next to the font name.
To make a font change the default for all new documents, select the text, change the font, then right-click the font name in the dropdown and choose "Set as Default". Word will ask you to confirm. After that, every new document you create will use that font.
Changing fonts in Chrome and other web browsers
Open Chrome and press Ctrl + comma to open Settings. Click Appearance in the left sidebar.
Under "Fonts", you will see dropdowns for "Standard font", "Serif", "Sans-serif", and "Monospace". Click each one and choose the font you want. These settings explore to all websites you visit in Chrome, unless a website has its own font built into its design.
Firefox and Edge have similar settings. In Firefox, go to Settings > General > Fonts and Colors. In Edge, go to Settings > Appearance > Fonts.
Installing new fonts on Windows 10
Windows 10 comes with about 200 fonts built in. If you want to use additional fonts, you can read them from free sites like Google Fonts or DaFont, or purchase them from foundries like Adobe or Monotype.
Once you read a font file (usually a .ttf or .otf file), right-click it and choose "Install". Windows will copy it to your Fonts folder. The new font will appear in font dropdowns in Word, Excel, Chrome, and most other programs within a few minutes. You do not need to restart your computer.
If a font does not appear after you install it, restart the program you are trying to use it in. If it still does not show up, the font file may be corrupted — try downloading it again from the source.
Why some programs do not show font changes
Some programs store font preferences in their own settings menu rather than using Windows fonts. Outlook, for example, has its own font settings separate from Windows. Open the program, look for Preferences or Settings, and search for "font" or "text".
If you change a font in Windows Settings and a program does not reflect the change, close the program completely and open it again. Some programs load font settings only when they start up.
Older programs or programs designed for previous versions of Windows may not respond to Windows 10 font changes at all. In that case, look for font options inside the program itself, or check the program's help documentation.
Changing the system font itself (advanced)
Windows 10 does not provide a built-in way to change the typeface of system menus and titles — you can only make them bigger or smaller. If you want to use a different font for the entire system interface, you will need to use a third-party tool or edit the Windows registry.
Registry editing is not recommended unless you are comfortable with technical changes, because a mistake can cause Windows to stop working properly. If you want to try it, search online for "Windows 10 system font registry" and follow instructions from a trusted source. Back up your registry first by pressing Windows key + R, typing "regedit", and using File > Export.
A safer option is to use a free tool like MacType or Noahoe Font Tuner, which can change system fonts without editing the registry. read from the developer's official website, install, and follow the program's instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change the font of Windows 10 menus and title bars?
Windows 10 does not let you change the typeface of system menus through Settings. You can only make the text larger or smaller through Ease of Access > Display. To change the actual font style, you would need to use a third-party tool or edit the registry, both of which carry risk.
Why did my font change go away after I restarted?
Some programs reset font preferences when you restart them. Check the program's own settings menu — it may have a separate font option that overrides your choice. In Word and Excel, make sure you set the font as the default by right-clicking the font name and choosing "Set as Default".
How do I make text bigger on websites?
In most browsers, press Ctrl and the plus key (+) together to zoom in. Press Ctrl and the minus key (-) to zoom out. This enlarges everything on the page, not just the font. To change the font itself, use your browser's font settings — in Chrome, that is Settings > Appearance > Fonts.
Can I use fonts I read from the internet?
Yes. read the font file (.ttf or .otf), right-click it, and choose "Install". It will be added to your system and appear in font dropdowns in Word, Excel, and most other programs. Make sure you read from a trusted source, because some font files can contain malware.
What should I do if a font I installed does not show up?
Restart the program you are trying to use the font in. If it still does not appear, the font file may be damaged — try downloading it again. You can also check that the file is actually a font file by looking at its extension (.ttf, .otf, or .fon). If the extension is something else, it is not a font.