Segoe UI is the default font in Windows 10. This default font is used almost everywhere from desktop to file explorer to Settings in Windows 10.
Many PC users who have used Windows XP for a long time before switching to Windows 10 feel that the Windows XP’s default Tahoma font was superior, and want to set Tahoma or any other font as the default font in Windows 10.
Unlike Windows 7 and earlier versions, changing the default font is not an easy job in Windows 10, thanks to the absence of Window Color and Appearance. There is no option under Control Panel or Settings app to change the default font. Surprisingly, no developer has come up with an application to change the default font so far.
A user at Super User has posted a workaround to change the default font in Windows 10 to a font of your choice. Complete the given below directions to change the default font in Windows 10. You need to download a Registry file and then merge it with Registry.
Set your favorite font as the default font in Windows 10
WARNING: Since this method requires editing the Registry, we recommend you create a manual system restore point before proceeding further. We also recommend you create a system image backup before making major changes to the Registry.
Step 1: Download ChangeFont.zip file by clicking here. Please note that the credit for the workaround and registry file goes to Tom at Super User.
Step 2: Right-click on the downloaded ChangeFont.zip file, click Extract all, select a location, and then click the Extract button to get a file named ChangeFont.reg.
Step 3: With default settings, this ChangeFont registry file changes the default Segoe UI font to Tahoma. Please read the instructions in Step 4, Step 5, and Step 6 if you want to change the default font to a font other than Tahoma.
And if you want to set Tahoma as the default font in Windows 10, double-click on ChangeFont.reg file, click Yes when you see the confirmation dialog, and then click OK.
Once done, sign out of your account and then sign in again to see the new font in action. To sign out, click on the user tile on the Start menu and then click Sign out.
Step 4: To change the default font to a font other than Tahoma, right-click on the ChangeFont.reg file, click Open with, and then click Notepad to open the file with Notepad program.
Step 5: Replace the word (mentioned at the end) Tahoma with a font name that you would like to set as the default font in Windows 10. Click Ctrl + S or click the File menu and then click Save option to save the changes. For instance, if you want to set Verdana as the default font, replace Tahoma with Verdana. Don’t forget to press Ctrl + S to save.
Step 6: Finally, double-click on the edited ChangeFont.reg file, click Yes button when you see the confirmation dialog, and then click OK button. Sign out and sign in to see the new font.
If you’re having issues after changing the default font, use the previously created manual restore point to restore your PC to an earlier date.
P says
Fuck !! Can’t access my system now. Cant input the password
John says
MS should develop a self extracting, batch type of file where it would take care of everything (download, storing fonts, including proper code in registry, etc). This could be their NEXT upgrade because…. lets face it …. you can read WAY better in a dark/bold font than in a regular not only for mature folks+ but even for young-ones (so much time on screens), way less eye strain.
Previous versions of Windows used to have it (I did LOVE IT) now .. it is SOOOOO frustrating and/or risky to set up/edit for non tech people.
Alexi says
This method is not at all woking now….!! Tried twice, ended up in the lock screen….., without having the option to enter the password….So finally accessed the system through a system restore…!!
Bob says
Working in a locked down environment, these methods will not work. Stuck with Microsoft’s choice only. UGH. I can’t blame them, Microsoft intended to lock this down. I hate tech dictatorship!
Ian Pride says
Just a suggestion; you don’t have to do a System Restore if you backup the registry trees of the locations in the provided reg file here to change the values. In the Registry Editor (regedit) you find the locations:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes
And
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts
right click the ‘Font’ and ‘FontSubstitutes’ folders and ‘Export’ each to a .reg file that you would then use to restore the default values. Of course, one should always be careful when editing the registry, but in this case it’s backing up not changing.
Eva_M says
Thank you SO MUCH!!!! That Segoe font looked so horrible and I often felt pain inside my eyes. Now it is much better!!! THANKS!!!