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10 Tech How-To

Change Default Font in Windows 10: Easy Steps

Guide 10-35325 · Updated · Step by step

This guide shows you how to change the default system font in Windows 10 from Segoe UI to something else, like Arial or Times New Roman. You’ll need to edit the Windows Registry, so we’ll walk through it carefully to avoid problems.

What You’ll Need

  • A Windows 10 PC with administrator access
  • The exact name of the font you want to use (e.g., “Arial”, “Times New Roman”) – it must be installed on your system
  • A backup of your registry (optional but recommended)

Step-by-Step

  1. Open Registry Editor. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter. Click “Yes” if prompted by User Account Control.
  2. Back up the registry (recommended). In Registry Editor, go to File > Export. Choose a location, name the file, and click Save. This creates a .reg file you can double-click to restore if something goes wrong.
  3. Navigate to the FontSubstitutes key. In the left pane, go to:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes
  4. Find the “Segoe UI” entry. In the right pane, look for a string value named Segoe UI. If it’s not there, you’ll need to create it: right-click empty space, choose New > String Value, and name it Segoe UI.
  5. Modify the value. Double-click the Segoe UI entry. In the "Value data" field, type the exact name of the font you want to use (e.g., Arial). Make sure the font is installed – you can check in Settings > Personalization > Fonts.
  6. Repeat for other Segoe UI variants (optional). To change all UI fonts, you may need to add or modify entries for Segoe UI Semibold, Segoe UI Light, Segoe UI Semilight, Segoe UI Bold, and Segoe UI Italic. Set each to the same font name.
  7. Close Registry Editor and restart. The change takes effect after you sign out and back in, or restart your PC.

Common Mistakes

  • Typing the font name incorrectly. The name must match exactly, including capitalization. For example, "arial" won't work; use "Arial".
  • Using a font that isn't installed. If the font isn't present, Windows will fall back to the default, and you'll see no change.
  • Editing the wrong registry key. There is also a FontSubstitutes key under HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Editing that one may not affect system-wide UI. Use the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE path.
  • Not restarting. Some apps may not pick up the change until you restart or at least sign out.

Tips

  • Choose a font that is legible at small sizes. Fonts like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana work well for UI.
  • Test the font in a few apps before committing – some apps have their own font settings and won't be affected.
  • If you want to revert, simply delete the Segoe UI values you added or changed, or restore your registry backup.
  • You can also use a third-party tool like Winaero Tweaker, but the registry method is built-in and free.

Troubleshooting

  • No change after restart: Double-check the registry path and value name. Make sure you edited the value under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, not HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Also verify the font name is spelled exactly as it appears in the Fonts settings.
  • Some text still uses Segoe UI: Certain apps (like Office) have their own font settings and may ignore the system default. Check the app's settings to change fonts there.
  • System looks broken or text is unreadable: Immediately restore your registry backup by double-clicking the .reg file you exported. If you didn't create a backup, go back to the registry key and delete the Segoe UI value you added or changed.
  • Can't edit the registry: You need administrator rights. If you're on a work or school computer, you may not have permission – contact your IT admin.
  • Font doesn't appear in the list: The font may not be installed. Download and install it first, then try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Will this change affect all apps? Most system UI and many apps will use the new font, but some apps (especially older ones or those with custom UI) may not.
  2. Can I change the font back to Segoe UI? Yes. Simply delete the Segoe UI value you added or changed, or restore your registry backup.
  3. Is it safe to edit the registry? It's generally safe if you follow the steps exactly and back up first. Incorrect changes can cause system instability, so be careful.
  4. Do I need to restart my PC? Yes, a restart or sign-out is required for the change to take full effect.
  5. Can I use a custom font I downloaded? Yes, as long as the font is installed on your system. The registry value just needs the exact font name.
  6. Will this affect the font in Microsoft Word? No, Word and other Office apps have their own default font settings. You'll need to change those separately.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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