Installing Fonts

[enjay]

Anyone got any notes on how to deploy fonts on Windows 7? I had an MSI which did this on XP, but I can't get it to work on Windows 7.

[Arthur]

What did you use to create the MSI and how are you adding the font(s)?

 

I normally use Advanced Installer or a script that runs FontReg.

 

http://i.imgur.com/S8moM.png

 

^ In Advanced Installer you need to check the "Register Font" box after you have added the font(s) to the MSI.

[enjay]

I've tried Advanced Installer in the past, and not got it working. FontReg is perfect though - one script to copy the appropriate files into C:\Windows\Font and then a second to run FontReg. Thanks!

[Nemwar7]

Use Group policy preferences.

 

Install the font on 1 pc.

 

Find the registry entry for that font. HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WindowsNT\CurrentVersion\Fonts

Create a registry item in gpp duplicating the registry key on the pc you installed the font.

 

Deploy the font file to c:\windows\fonts\ using gpp files.

 

This is all assuming you have a 2008 server or RSAT on a vist or 7 pc.

[enjay]

Deploy the font file to c:\windows\fonts\ using gpp files.

Ha, forgot you could do that! I put it there with a batch copy script...

[Michael]

You can deploy via GPP but there are several things you need to do:

 

Fonts need to be deployed per machine! Create reg edits like the following:

 

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key Path: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts
Value name: fontname (TrueType)
Value type: REG_SZ
Value data: fontname.ttf

 

Specify the font files via a share:

 

Source file(s): \\SERVERNAME\Share\fontname.ttf
Destination File: C:\Windows\Fonts\fontname.ttf

 

Link the newly created GPO. It will take two reboots to apply the fonts.

[enjay]

Thanks @Michael and @Nemwar7, that's much cleaner than the way I was doing it.

[simpsonj]

Raising this thread from the dead...

 

I've set a GPP to copy the file into %Windir\Fonts\fontname.otf and set the registry key to match. The file copies into the folder, but doesn't appear with a name. Refresh the font folder and the file disappears entirely. However, if I manually copy the font into the folder, it says the font is already installed and do I want to overwrite it. But the font doesn't appear in Word or anywhere useful.

 

Slowly giving up the will to live with this!

[rh91uk]

I use the enclosed script deployed at computer config in GPO - basically on startup it checks a share for any new fonts and installs them.Give it a whirl..!

 

FontCopy.vbs

[mredugeek]

I use the enclosed script deployed at computer config in GPO - basically on startup it checks a share for any new fonts and installs them.Give it a whirl..!

 

[ATTACH]15738[/ATTACH]

 

Fantastic!

 

1) Does this register the fonts into the registry too?

2) Where is the best place to place this script? i.e. machine startup?

3) WIll it work on Windows 8 & 7?

[rh91uk]

1) no idea

2) Yes

3) Def 7, not tested on 8.

[OverWorked]

Raising this thread from the dead...

 

I've set a GPP to copy the file into %Windir\Fonts\fontname.otf and set the registry key to match. The file copies into the folder, but doesn't appear with a name. Refresh the font folder and the file disappears entirely. However, if I manually copy the font into the folder, it says the font is already installed and do I want to overwrite it. But the font doesn't appear in Word or anywhere useful.

 

Slowly giving up the will to live with this!

 

Michael's method worked for me (Win7 x86). The GPP copied the file and created the reg keys, but I had to restart the machine to actually make the font appear ni the fonts folder.

 

Can you see the installed fonts if you open wordpad?

 

My example for an OpenType font:-

 

Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Key Path: SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts
Value name: OpenDyslexic-Regular (OpenType)
Value type: REG_SZ
Value data: OpenDyslexic-Regular.otf

 

Source file(s): \\SERVER\Share\OpenDyslexic-Regular.otf
Destination File: %WinDir%\Fonts\OpenDyslexic-Regular.otf

[adomin1000]

I use the enclosed script deployed at computer config in GPO - basically on startup it checks a share for any new fonts and installs them.Give it a whirl..!

 

[ATTACH]15738[/ATTACH]

 

Is there a way to suppress the prompts? Also, when i run it, it prompts if the font's are already installed and if i want to reinstall. Does not seem to be catching that it already exists.

[vortex999]

I use the enclosed script deployed at computer config in GPO - basically on startup it checks a share for any new fonts and installs them.Give it a whirl..!

 

[ATTACH]15738[/ATTACH]

 

Does this work on XP? I get an error when using this as a start up script, line 44 char 2. It seems to work when it is run directly though.

[Arthur]

FontReg might be worth a try?

 

All you need to do is place the fonts in the same folder as the FontReg executable and then run the EXE.

[marsdenprimary]

I use the enclosed script deployed at computer config in GPO - basically on startup it checks a share for any new fonts and installs them.Give it a whirl..!

 

[ATTACH]15738[/ATTACH]

 

I've just deployed this...hope it works ok! Thanks so much. Even though it's an old thread it's new to me!

[enjay]

Glad it is useful to someone. I've moved schools since posting this, so it isn't relevant to me any more! :-)

[Lavabo]

Im in the same process.. i dont want to install manually on about 60 laptop ..

I will try my batch file at logon script instead, seems easier than GPO for about 6 font.

this is the batch i use locally under admin user:

 

copy "FONT1.ttf" "%SystemRoot%\Fonts"

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts" /v "FONT1 (TrueType)" /t REG_SZ /d FONT1.ttf /f

 

copy "Font2.otf" "%SystemRoot%\Fonts"

reg add "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts" /v "FONT2 (OpenType)" /t REG_SZ /d FONT2.otf /f

 

Can i put this batch into GPO instead of logon script (with kixstart) ?