How can I reinstall missing Vista system fonts?
March 6, 2009 11:42 PM Subscribe
I recently uninstalled Left 4 Dead, and when I did, it seriously messed up my fonts (on Vista SP1). Now most common fonts, e.g. Arial, Verdana etc. display italicised or bold, or use an alternative. I've found installers that replace the files for a session, but on reboot they are gone again. Can anyone recommend a reinstall procedure?
The fifth post down here has a good explanation of what's probably going on. In plainest English, when a program gets uninstalled, it doesn't just need to have the program files and shortcuts removed; there's a core Registry that tells Windows what to do with the important files like device drivers, important system processes - and fonts. What apparently happened is this: the guy (an idiot who apparently didn't test his script) who programmed the Left4Dead un-installation program forgot to include the line or two that says, "hey Windows- I just deleted a few fonts that were just for Left4Dead - go back and tell the Registry that they're gone now." Now, when your computer starts, Windows runs down its list of fonts in the Registry and notices that some of those fonts aren't around any more - so it just says "FUCK IT" (that's Windows for you, eh?) and loads the first fonts it comes to.
Apparently if you navigate to C:\Windows\Fonts, select all, and right-click+"Install New Font" you can fix this.
Good luck.
posted by koeselitz at 2:59 AM on March 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
Apparently if you navigate to C:\Windows\Fonts, select all, and right-click+"Install New Font" you can fix this.
Good luck.
posted by koeselitz at 2:59 AM on March 7, 2009 [1 favorite]
This post indicates a fix through the Windows Registry, and seem like clear instructions.
posted by clarkie666 at 12:43 PM on March 7, 2009
posted by clarkie666 at 12:43 PM on March 7, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by crapmatic at 11:51 PM on March 6, 2009