
## Installation

FontPilot is available for Windows through multiple installation methods.

### Microsoft Store Installation

1. Open the Microsoft Store
2. Search for "FontPilot"
3. Click Install

Or you can install it from the Microsoft Store by using [this link](https://google.com).

### Direct Installation

1. Download the installer from [ventana.tools/fontpilot](https://ventana.tools/fontpilot)
2. Run the installer (`FontPilot-{versionNumber}-Setup.exe`) (or whichever variant you may have downloaded)
3. Follow the setup wizard
4. FontPilot will launch automatically after installation

## System Requirements

- **Windows 10** version 1909 or later (64-bit)
- **Windows 11** (all versions)
- **2GB RAM** minimum (4GB+ recommended for large font libraries)
- **100MB disk space** for application
- **Administrator rights** for font installation/removal

## First Launch

When you first open FontPilot, you'll see the main dashboard with:

### Left Sidebar
- **All Fonts**: View all fonts on your system
- **System Fonts**: Built-in Windows fonts (view only)
- **User Fonts**: Fonts you've installed
- **Add Folder**: Link folders containing font files

### Main Features

#### Adding Font Folders
1. Click **"Add Folder"** in the sidebar
2. Browse to a folder containing your font files
3. FontPilot will scan and display all fonts found
4. Fonts remain in their original location

#### Installing Fonts
1. Select fonts from a folder or use drag-and-drop
2. Click the **Install** button
3. Fonts are installed to your Windows user profile
4. Available immediately in all applications

#### Organizing with Tags
1. Select one or more fonts
2. Right-click and choose **"Add Tag"**
3. Create tags like "Projects", "Clients", or "Favorites"
4. Access tagged fonts quickly from the sidebar

## Understanding Font States

FontPilot shows fonts in different states:

- **📁 In Folder**: Font file exists in a linked folder (not installed)
- **✅ Installed**: Font is installed and available system-wide
- **⚠️ Duplicate**: Same font exists in multiple locations
- **🔒 System Font**: Pre-installed Windows font (cannot be removed)

## Common First Tasks

### Import Existing Fonts
If you have fonts in various folders:
1. Click **Add Folder** for each location
2. FontPilot will catalog them without moving files
3. Install/uninstall as needed

### Preview Before Installing
1. Click any font to see preview
2. Type custom text in the preview field
3. View character sets in the **Characters** tab
4. Check OpenType features in the **Features** tab

### Bulk Operations
- **Select multiple**: Ctrl+Click or Shift+Click
- **Install all in folder**: Right-click folder → Install All
- **Tag multiple fonts**: Select fonts → Right-click → Add Tag

## License Activation

### Free Version
- Manage unlimited fonts
- Free for 14 Days

### Pro Version
To activate FontPilot Pro:
1. Click **Settings** (gear icon)
2. Select **Advanced Settings**
2. Scroll down to the **License** section
3. Enter your license key
4. Click **Activate**

## Troubleshooting First Launch

### "FontPilot needs administrator access"
FontPilot should be fully functional without adminstrator access, but if for some reason FontPilot isn't behaving as expected, please try:
- Run FontPilot as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator)
- Or work with user-level fonts only

### "Some fonts appear locked"
If you see errors about fonts being in use:
1. Close design applications (Photoshop, Word, etc.)
2. Try the operation again
3. Restart your computer if the issue persists
3. See our [Font Lock FAQ](/docs/fontpilot/fonts-not-activating-deactivating/) for details

### Performance with Large Libraries
If FontPilot is slow with many fonts:
1. Add folders gradually (500-1000 fonts at a time)
2. Let scanning complete before adding more
3. Use List View instead of Grid View for better performance

## Next Steps

- **[Organizing Your Fonts](link)**: Learn about folders and tags
- **[Font Installation Guide](link)**: Detailed installation options
- **[Keyboard Shortcuts](link)**: Speed up your workflow
- **[FAQ](link)**: Common questions and solutions

## Getting Help

- **Documentation**: [ventana.tools/docs/fontpilot](https://ventana.tools/docs/fontpilot/)
- **Support Email**: support@ventana.tools

<h2>Installation</h2>
<p>FontPilot is available for Windows through multiple installation methods.</p>
<h3>Microsoft Store Installation</h3>
<ol>
<li>Open the Microsoft Store</li>
<li>Search for "FontPilot"</li>
<li>Click Install</li>
</ol>
<p>Or you can install it from the Microsoft Store by using <a href="https://google.com">this link</a>.</p>
<h3>Direct Installation</h3>
<ol>
<li>Download the installer from <a href="https://ventana.tools/fontpilot">ventana.tools/fontpilot</a></li>
<li>Run the installer (<code>FontPilot-{versionNumber}-Setup.exe</code>) (or whichever variant you may have downloaded)</li>
<li>Follow the setup wizard</li>
<li>FontPilot will launch automatically after installation</li>
</ol>
<h2>System Requirements</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Windows 10</strong> version 1909 or later (64-bit)</li>
<li><strong>Windows 11</strong> (all versions)</li>
<li><strong>2GB RAM</strong> minimum (4GB+ recommended for large font libraries)</li>
<li><strong>100MB disk space</strong> for application</li>
<li><strong>Administrator rights</strong> for font installation/removal</li>
</ul>
<h2>First Launch</h2>
<p>When you first open FontPilot, you'll see the main dashboard with:</p>
<h3>Left Sidebar</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>All Fonts</strong>: View all fonts on your system</li>
<li><strong>System Fonts</strong>: Built-in Windows fonts (view only)</li>
<li><strong>User Fonts</strong>: Fonts you've installed</li>
<li><strong>Add Folder</strong>: Link folders containing font files</li>
</ul>
<h3>Main Features</h3>
<h4>Adding Font Folders</h4>
<ol>
<li>Click <strong>"Add Folder"</strong> in the sidebar</li>
<li>Browse to a folder containing your font files</li>
<li>FontPilot will scan and display all fonts found</li>
<li>Fonts remain in their original location</li>
</ol>
<h4>Installing Fonts</h4>
<ol>
<li>Select fonts from a folder or use drag-and-drop</li>
<li>Click the <strong>Install</strong> button</li>
<li>Fonts are installed to your Windows user profile</li>
<li>Available immediately in all applications</li>
</ol>
<h4>Organizing with Tags</h4>
<ol>
<li>Select one or more fonts</li>
<li>Right-click and choose <strong>"Add Tag"</strong></li>
<li>Create tags like "Projects", "Clients", or "Favorites"</li>
<li>Access tagged fonts quickly from the sidebar</li>
</ol>
<h2>Understanding Font States</h2>
<p>FontPilot shows fonts in different states:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>📁 In Folder</strong>: Font file exists in a linked folder (not installed)</li>
<li><strong>✅ Installed</strong>: Font is installed and available system-wide</li>
<li><strong>⚠️ Duplicate</strong>: Same font exists in multiple locations</li>
<li><strong>🔒 System Font</strong>: Pre-installed Windows font (cannot be removed)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Common First Tasks</h2>
<h3>Import Existing Fonts</h3>
<p>If you have fonts in various folders:</p>
<ol>
<li>Click <strong>Add Folder</strong> for each location</li>
<li>FontPilot will catalog them without moving files</li>
<li>Install/uninstall as needed</li>
</ol>
<h3>Preview Before Installing</h3>
<ol>
<li>Click any font to see preview</li>
<li>Type custom text in the preview field</li>
<li>View character sets in the <strong>Characters</strong> tab</li>
<li>Check OpenType features in the <strong>Features</strong> tab</li>
</ol>
<h3>Bulk Operations</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Select multiple</strong>: Ctrl+Click or Shift+Click</li>
<li><strong>Install all in folder</strong>: Right-click folder → Install All</li>
<li><strong>Tag multiple fonts</strong>: Select fonts → Right-click → Add Tag</li>
</ul>
<h2>License Activation</h2>
<h3>Free Version</h3>
<ul>
<li>Manage unlimited fonts</li>
<li>Free for 14 Days</li>
</ul>
<h3>Pro Version</h3>
<p>To activate FontPilot Pro:</p>
<ol>
<li>Click <strong>Settings</strong> (gear icon)</li>
<li>Select <strong>Advanced Settings</strong></li>
<li>Scroll down to the <strong>License</strong> section</li>
<li>Enter your license key</li>
<li>Click <strong>Activate</strong></li>
</ol>
<h2>Troubleshooting First Launch</h2>
<h3>"FontPilot needs administrator access"</h3>
<p>FontPilot should be fully functional without adminstrator access, but if for some reason FontPilot isn't behaving as expected, please try:</p>
<ul>
<li>Run FontPilot as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator)</li>
<li>Or work with user-level fonts only</li>
</ul>
<h3>"Some fonts appear locked"</h3>
<p>If you see errors about fonts being in use:</p>
<ol>
<li>Close design applications (Photoshop, Word, etc.)</li>
<li>Try the operation again</li>
<li>Restart your computer if the issue persists</li>
<li>See our <a href="/docs/fontpilot/fonts-not-activating-deactivating/">Font Lock FAQ</a> for details</li>
</ol>
<h3>Performance with Large Libraries</h3>
<p>If FontPilot is slow with many fonts:</p>
<ol>
<li>Add folders gradually (500-1000 fonts at a time)</li>
<li>Let scanning complete before adding more</li>
<li>Use List View instead of Grid View for better performance</li>
</ol>
<h2>Next Steps</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong><a href="link">Organizing Your Fonts</a></strong>: Learn about folders and tags</li>
<li><strong><a href="link">Font Installation Guide</a></strong>: Detailed installation options</li>
<li><strong><a href="link">Keyboard Shortcuts</a></strong>: Speed up your workflow</li>
<li><strong><a href="link">FAQ</a></strong>: Common questions and solutions</li>
</ul>
<h2>Getting Help</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Documentation</strong>: <a href="https://ventana.tools/docs/fontpilot/">ventana.tools/docs/fontpilot</a></li>
<li><strong>Support Email</strong>: <a href="mailto:support@ventana.tools">support@ventana.tools</a></li>
</ul>



## General Questions

# What happens when I install/uninstall fonts with FontPilot?

## When You Install a Font
FontPilot performs a proper Windows installation:
- ✅ Copies font to your user Fonts folder (`AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts`)
- ✅ Registers it in the Windows Registry
- ✅ Makes it immediately available to all applications
- ✅ Font remains available even when FontPilot is closed

## When You Uninstall a Font  
FontPilot cleanly removes the font:
- ✅ Removes the font file from Windows
- ✅ Cleans up registry entries
- ✅ Notifies applications that fonts have changed

## User Fonts vs. System Fonts
- **Your fonts:** Installed to your user account, manageable through FontPilot
- **System fonts:** Pre-installed Windows fonts (Arial, Calibri, etc.) - view only

## Why Use FontPilot vs. Windows Font Viewer?
- ✅ **Bulk operations** - Install/uninstall entire folders at once
- ✅ **Organization** - Keep track of fonts by project or client
- ✅ **Safety** - FontPilot tracks what it installed for clean removal
- ✅ **Preview** - See fonts before installing them
- ✅ **Features** - View OpenType features, character sets, etc.

# How do Folders and Tags work in FontPilot?

## Folders
- **What they are:** Folders link to actual directories on your hard drive
- **Best for:** Organizing fonts by client, project, or source
- **Auto-sync:** FontPilot watches these folders for changes
- **Activation:** Activate/deactivate entire folders at once

## Tags  
- **What they are:** Virtual labels you can apply to any font
- **Best for:** Categorizing by style (Script, Sans-serif) or use (Headlines, Body)
- **Flexible:** One font can have multiple tags
- **System fonts:** Can even tag system fonts you can't move

## Power User Tip
Use Folders for "where fonts came from" and Tags for "what fonts are for"

# What are Font Features and how do I use them?

## What You're Seeing
The "Features" tab shows OpenType features built into professional fonts:
- **Ligatures:** Special combined characters (fi, fl, ff)
- **Stylistic Sets:** Alternative character designs
- **Swashes:** Decorative flourishes
- **Small Caps:** Properly designed small capitals
- **Fractions:** Automatic fraction formatting

## How to Use Them
1. ✅ **Adobe Apps:** Full support in Character/OpenType panels
2. ✅ **Microsoft Office:** Limited support (some ligatures work)
3. ⚠️ **Web Design:** Use CSS font-feature-settings
4. ❌ **Basic Apps:** May not support features at all

## Not Seeing Features?
- Not all fonts have OpenType features
- TrueType (.ttf) fonts may have fewer features than OpenType (.otf)
- Variable fonts show features differently

# Help! I see duplicate fonts or font conflicts

## Why This Happens
You may have the same font installed from different sources:
- Previously installed through Windows
- Installed via Adobe Creative Cloud
- Installed through FontPilot
- Multiple versions in different folders

## How FontPilot Handles This
- FontPilot installs fonts to your user font folder
- Windows will use the most recently installed version
- FontPilot tracks which fonts IT installed (for clean uninstalling)

## How to Fix Conflicts
1. **Check Windows Fonts folder** first (Control Panel → Fonts)
2. **Uninstall duplicates** through their original source
3. **Use FontPilot** to manage your version going forward
4. **Restart applications** to load the correct version

## Note
FontPilot currently doesn't detect duplicates automatically - this is a manual process

# How do I backup my FontPilot settings and organization?

## What Gets Saved
FontPilot stores your settings including:
- ✅ Folder locations you've added
- ✅ Tags you've created  
- ✅ Which fonts you've installed via FontPilot
- ✅ Your preferences and settings
- ❌ The actual font files (these stay in your folders)

## Backing Up Your Fonts
- Keep your font files in a backed-up location (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, NAS, external drive, ..etc)
- FontPilot will find them as long as the folder paths remain the same.
- Consider organizing fonts in cloud-synced folders for automatic backup

## Migration Tip
When moving to a new computer:
1. Copy your font folders to the same paths
2. Install FontPilot
3. Re-add your font folders
4. Your fonts will be ready to install again

# How does FontPilot help with font licensing?

## What FontPilot Tracks
- ✅ Which fonts are activated/installed
- ✅ Folder organization by project/client
- ⚠️ FontPilot does NOT verify license validity

## Best Practices for Compliance

### Organization
- Create folders per client/project
- Tag fonts with license type (Commercial, Personal, Client-Specific)
- Deactivate project fonts when projects end

### Documentation
- Keep license files in font folders
- Name folders with license info: "Google Fonts - Open Source"
- Use tags: "Adobe CC", "Purchased", "Free"

### Team Usage
- Share folder structures, not font files
- Each team member needs their own licenses

# Which font formats does FontPilot support?

## Fully Supported
- ✅ **TrueType (.ttf)** - Full support including TrueType Collections (.ttc)
- ✅ **OpenType (.otf)** - Full support with all features
- ✅ **Variable Fonts** - Supported as single fonts (variations not individually selectable)

## Not Supported
- ❌ .svg fonts
- ❌ .fon bitmap fonts
- ❌ .woff fonts
- ❌ .woff2 fonts
- ❌ .eot Embedded OpenType
- ❌ Color fonts may display without color layers

# My fonts disappeared after Windows Update!

## Why This Happens
Major Windows updates can:
- Reset font registry entries
- Clear user font folders
- Change security permissions
- Update system fonts that conflict with yours

## Recovery Steps
1. **Check your font folders** - Original files should still exist
2. **Re-sync folders** in FontPilot - Right-click folder → "Sync with filesystem"  
3. **Reinstall fonts** through FontPilot - They're unregistered but files remain
4. **Check Windows.old** if fonts were in system locations

## Prevention
- Keep fonts in dedicated folders outside Windows directories
- Store fonts in cloud-synced folders for backup
- Document which fonts are installed for which projects




<h2>General Questions</h2>
<h1>What happens when I install/uninstall fonts with FontPilot?</h1>
<h2>When You Install a Font</h2>
<p>FontPilot performs a proper Windows installation:</p>
<ul>
<li>✅ Copies font to your user Fonts folder (<code>AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Fonts</code>)</li>
<li>✅ Registers it in the Windows Registry</li>
<li>✅ Makes it immediately available to all applications</li>
<li>✅ Font remains available even when FontPilot is closed</li>
</ul>
<h2>When You Uninstall a Font</h2>
<p>FontPilot cleanly removes the font:</p>
<ul>
<li>✅ Removes the font file from Windows</li>
<li>✅ Cleans up registry entries</li>
<li>✅ Notifies applications that fonts have changed</li>
</ul>
<h2>User Fonts vs. System Fonts</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Your fonts:</strong> Installed to your user account, manageable through FontPilot</li>
<li><strong>System fonts:</strong> Pre-installed Windows fonts (Arial, Calibri, etc.) - view only</li>
</ul>
<h2>Why Use FontPilot vs. Windows Font Viewer?</h2>
<ul>
<li>✅ <strong>Bulk operations</strong> - Install/uninstall entire folders at once</li>
<li>✅ <strong>Organization</strong> - Keep track of fonts by project or client</li>
<li>✅ <strong>Safety</strong> - FontPilot tracks what it installed for clean removal</li>
<li>✅ <strong>Preview</strong> - See fonts before installing them</li>
<li>✅ <strong>Features</strong> - View OpenType features, character sets, etc.</li>
</ul>
<h1>How do Folders and Tags work in FontPilot?</h1>
<h2>Folders</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>What they are:</strong> Folders link to actual directories on your hard drive</li>
<li><strong>Best for:</strong> Organizing fonts by client, project, or source</li>
<li><strong>Auto-sync:</strong> FontPilot watches these folders for changes</li>
<li><strong>Activation:</strong> Activate/deactivate entire folders at once</li>
</ul>
<h2>Tags</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>What they are:</strong> Virtual labels you can apply to any font</li>
<li><strong>Best for:</strong> Categorizing by style (Script, Sans-serif) or use (Headlines, Body)</li>
<li><strong>Flexible:</strong> One font can have multiple tags</li>
<li><strong>System fonts:</strong> Can even tag system fonts you can't move</li>
</ul>
<h2>Power User Tip</h2>
<p>Use Folders for "where fonts came from" and Tags for "what fonts are for"</p>
<h1>What are Font Features and how do I use them?</h1>
<h2>What You're Seeing</h2>
<p>The "Features" tab shows OpenType features built into professional fonts:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Ligatures:</strong> Special combined characters (fi, fl, ff)</li>
<li><strong>Stylistic Sets:</strong> Alternative character designs</li>
<li><strong>Swashes:</strong> Decorative flourishes</li>
<li><strong>Small Caps:</strong> Properly designed small capitals</li>
<li><strong>Fractions:</strong> Automatic fraction formatting</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to Use Them</h2>
<ol>
<li>✅ <strong>Adobe Apps:</strong> Full support in Character/OpenType panels</li>
<li>✅ <strong>Microsoft Office:</strong> Limited support (some ligatures work)</li>
<li>⚠️ <strong>Web Design:</strong> Use CSS font-feature-settings</li>
<li>❌ <strong>Basic Apps:</strong> May not support features at all</li>
</ol>
<h2>Not Seeing Features?</h2>
<ul>
<li>Not all fonts have OpenType features</li>
<li>TrueType (.ttf) fonts may have fewer features than OpenType (.otf)</li>
<li>Variable fonts show features differently</li>
</ul>
<h1>Help! I see duplicate fonts or font conflicts</h1>
<h2>Why This Happens</h2>
<p>You may have the same font installed from different sources:</p>
<ul>
<li>Previously installed through Windows</li>
<li>Installed via Adobe Creative Cloud</li>
<li>Installed through FontPilot</li>
<li>Multiple versions in different folders</li>
</ul>
<h2>How FontPilot Handles This</h2>
<ul>
<li>FontPilot installs fonts to your user font folder</li>
<li>Windows will use the most recently installed version</li>
<li>FontPilot tracks which fonts IT installed (for clean uninstalling)</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to Fix Conflicts</h2>
<ol>
<li><strong>Check Windows Fonts folder</strong> first (Control Panel → Fonts)</li>
<li><strong>Uninstall duplicates</strong> through their original source</li>
<li><strong>Use FontPilot</strong> to manage your version going forward</li>
<li><strong>Restart applications</strong> to load the correct version</li>
</ol>
<h2>Note</h2>
<p>FontPilot currently doesn't detect duplicates automatically - this is a manual process</p>
<h1>How do I backup my FontPilot settings and organization?</h1>
<h2>What Gets Saved</h2>
<p>FontPilot stores your settings including:</p>
<ul>
<li>✅ Folder locations you've added</li>
<li>✅ Tags you've created</li>
<li>✅ Which fonts you've installed via FontPilot</li>
<li>✅ Your preferences and settings</li>
<li>❌ The actual font files (these stay in your folders)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Backing Up Your Fonts</h2>
<ul>
<li>Keep your font files in a backed-up location (OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox, NAS, external drive, ..etc)</li>
<li>FontPilot will find them as long as the folder paths remain the same.</li>
<li>Consider organizing fonts in cloud-synced folders for automatic backup</li>
</ul>
<h2>Migration Tip</h2>
<p>When moving to a new computer:</p>
<ol>
<li>Copy your font folders to the same paths</li>
<li>Install FontPilot</li>
<li>Re-add your font folders</li>
<li>Your fonts will be ready to install again</li>
</ol>
<h1>How does FontPilot help with font licensing?</h1>
<h2>What FontPilot Tracks</h2>
<ul>
<li>✅ Which fonts are activated/installed</li>
<li>✅ Folder organization by project/client</li>
<li>⚠️ FontPilot does NOT verify license validity</li>
</ul>
<h2>Best Practices for Compliance</h2>
<h3>Organization</h3>
<ul>
<li>Create folders per client/project</li>
<li>Tag fonts with license type (Commercial, Personal, Client-Specific)</li>
<li>Deactivate project fonts when projects end</li>
</ul>
<h3>Documentation</h3>
<ul>
<li>Keep license files in font folders</li>
<li>Name folders with license info: "Google Fonts - Open Source"</li>
<li>Use tags: "Adobe CC", "Purchased", "Free"</li>
</ul>
<h3>Team Usage</h3>
<ul>
<li>Share folder structures, not font files</li>
<li>Each team member needs their own licenses</li>
</ul>
<h1>Which font formats does FontPilot support?</h1>
<h2>Fully Supported</h2>
<ul>
<li>✅ <strong>TrueType (.ttf)</strong> - Full support including TrueType Collections (.ttc)</li>
<li>✅ <strong>OpenType (.otf)</strong> - Full support with all features</li>
<li>✅ <strong>Variable Fonts</strong> - Supported as single fonts (variations not individually selectable)</li>
</ul>
<h2>Not Supported</h2>
<ul>
<li>❌ .svg fonts</li>
<li>❌ .fon bitmap fonts</li>
<li>❌ .woff fonts</li>
<li>❌ .woff2 fonts</li>
<li>❌ .eot Embedded OpenType</li>
<li>❌ Color fonts may display without color layers</li>
</ul>
<h1>My fonts disappeared after Windows Update!</h1>
<h2>Why This Happens</h2>
<p>Major Windows updates can:</p>
<ul>
<li>Reset font registry entries</li>
<li>Clear user font folders</li>
<li>Change security permissions</li>
<li>Update system fonts that conflict with yours</li>
</ul>
<h2>Recovery Steps</h2>
<ol>
<li><strong>Check your font folders</strong> - Original files should still exist</li>
<li><strong>Re-sync folders</strong> in FontPilot - Right-click folder → "Sync with filesystem"</li>
<li><strong>Reinstall fonts</strong> through FontPilot - They're unregistered but files remain</li>
<li><strong>Check Windows.old</strong> if fonts were in system locations</li>
</ol>
<h2>Prevention</h2>
<ul>
<li>Keep fonts in dedicated folders outside Windows directories</li>
<li>Store fonts in cloud-synced folders for backup</li>
<li>Document which fonts are installed for which projects</li>
</ul>



## General Questions

## Why do some fonts get "stuck" and require a Windows restart?

**Quick Answer:** Windows has built-in security protections that occasionally lock font files to prevent malicious attacks. When this happens, a restart is needed to clear the lock. This is a Windows security feature, not a bug in FontPilot.

---

## Understanding the Issue

### What's Actually Happening?

When you install or uninstall fonts in Windows, the operating system's font security system (`fontdrvhost.exe`) takes control of those font files. Sometimes this system maintains a "lock" on font files even after FontPilot has completed its operation. When this happens, you'll see one of these symptoms:

- Unable to install a font (even though it appears to install)
- Unable to uninstall a font (gets an "access denied" or "file in use" error)
- Font changes don't take effect until after restart
- FontPilot operations can appear to succeed but Windows doesn't reflect the changes (if FontPilot sees this is happening, we will give you a heads up)

### Why Does Windows Do This?

This behavior is actually protecting you from serious security threats. On Windows 8.1 and earlier versions, fonts were processed directly in the Windows kernel, making them a potential attack vector. Since Windows 10, fonts are processed in an isolated security container called fontdrvhost.exe.

Here's what changed and why:

**Before Windows 10:** Fonts had direct access to the Windows kernel (the core of your operating system). This meant a malicious font could completely take over your computer.

**After Windows 10:** Fonts are now processed in an isolated "sandbox" called an AppContainer. This protects your system, but occasionally causes the sandbox to maintain locks on font files.

### The Security Context

Between 2015-2020, security researchers discovered multiple critical vulnerabilities in font handling:
- **CVE-2020-0938 & CVE-2020-1020**: Allowed attackers to escape browser sandboxes
- **CVE-2020-1355**: Remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Font Driver Host

These weren't theoretical risks—Google's Project Zero found these vulnerabilities being actively exploited in real-world attacks. Microsoft's response was to completely redesign font handling with security as the top priority.

Please see the following disclosures:
- [Google Project Zero / In-the-Wild Series: Windows Exploits](https://googleprojectzero.blogspot.com/2021/01/in-wild-series-windows-exploits.html?m=1)
- [CVE-2020-1355 / Microsoft](https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-us/advisory/CVE-2020-1355)
- [CVE-2020-1355 / National Vulnerability Update](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2020-1355)


---

## Why FontPilot's Approach is Actually Better

### Registry-Based Installation (What FontPilot Uses)

FontPilot uses the **Windows Registry method**—the same approach Windows itself uses internally. Here's why this is the superior choice:

**✅ Advantages:**
- **Native Windows Integration**: Works directly with Windows' font system
- **Maximum Compatibility**: All applications recognize the fonts properly
- **Clean Uninstalls**: Registry entries can be removed without residual files
- **Proper Font Metadata**: Windows correctly identifies font names, weights, and styles
- **System-Level Recognition**: Fonts appear in all font menus and applications

**⚠️ Trade-off:**
- Subject to Windows security locks (requiring occasional restarts)

### Alternative Methods and Why They're Problematic

**Symlink Method (used by other common font management apps)**
- Creates symbolic links to font files
- ❌ Links break when original files move
- ❌ Doesn't work with all applications
- ❌ Windows Updates can break symlinks
- ❌ Fonts may not appear in system font lists

**Adobe's Proprietary Method**
- Uses Adobe-specific font activation
- ❌ Only works reliably with Adobe applications
- ❌ Requires Adobe services running constantly
- ❌ Consumes more system resources
- ❌ Not a system-wide solution

**Direct File Copying (Basic method)**
- Simply copies fonts to the Fonts folder
- ❌ No proper registration
- ❌ Applications may not detect the fonts
- ❌ Can leave orphaned files
- ❌ No metadata management

---

## Practical Workarounds

### When You Encounter a Locked Font

1 **Wait and Retry**
   - Sometimes waiting 10-15 seconds and retrying works
   - The lock may release on its own

2. **Close Font-Using Applications**
   - Close any applications that might be using fonts (design apps, browsers, Office)
   - Try the operation again

3. **Clear Font Cache** (Advanced)
   - Open Services (services.msc)
   - Stop "Windows Font Cache Service"
   - Navigate to `C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache`
   - Delete cache files
   - Restart the service

4. **Use Safe Mode** (Last Resort)
   - Restart Windows in Safe Mode
   - Fonts are less likely to be locked in Safe Mode
   - Perform your font operations
   - Restart normally

### Best Practices to Minimize Issues

- **Install fonts in batches** rather than one at a time
- **Close design applications** before installing/uninstalling fonts
- **Avoid installing fonts from untrusted sources** (this triggers more aggressive security checks)
- **Schedule font management** during natural restart times (e.g., end of workday)

---

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Q: Is this a bug in FontPilot?
**A:** No, this is a Windows security feature. FontPilot correctly requests font operations through the proper Windows APIs. The lock occurs at the Windows system level, outside of FontPilot's control.

### Q: Will this be fixed in a future version?
**A:** Because this is a Windows security feature, not a bug, it cannot be "fixed" without compromising system security. We continue to explore workarounds that maintain security while improving user experience.

### Q: Why don't other font managers have this problem?
**A:** They do, or they use inferior methods:
- Apps using the registry method (like FontPilot) experience the same Windows locks
- Apps using symlinks avoid locks but sacrifice compatibility and reliability
- Apps that never experience locks likely aren't properly integrating with Windows

### Q: Is my system at risk when fonts are locked?
**A:** No, the opposite is true. The lock indicates Windows security is actively protecting your system. The inconvenience is a side effect of this protection.

### Q: Can I disable this security feature?
**A:** We strongly recommend against attempting to disable Windows font security features. Doing so would expose your system to serious vulnerabilities that have been actively exploited in the wild.

---

## The Bottom Line

The occasional need to restart is frustrating, but it's a small price for protection against serious security threats. Font-based attacks have been used to:
- Steal sensitive data
- Install malware
- Take complete control of systems
- Escape browser sandboxes

FontPilot uses the most reliable, compatible method for font management. While this means we're subject to Windows security locks, it ensures your fonts work properly across all applications when they are installed.

We're continuously monitoring Windows updates and exploring ways to minimize these occurrences while maintaining the security and compatibility benefits our users expect.

---

## Need More Help?

If you're experiencing persistent issues beyond occasional locks:
1. **Check our troubleshooting guide** for specific error messages
2. **Contact support** with your Windows version and specific symptoms
3. **Join our community forum** to share experiences with other users

Remember: A restart requirement is annoying but normal. Consistent failures or errors may indicate a different issue we can help resolve.


<h2>General Questions</h2>
<h2>Why do some fonts get "stuck" and require a Windows restart?</h2>
<p><strong>Quick Answer:</strong> Windows has built-in security protections that occasionally lock font files to prevent malicious attacks. When this happens, a restart is needed to clear the lock. This is a Windows security feature, not a bug in FontPilot.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Understanding the Issue</h2>
<h3>What's Actually Happening?</h3>
<p>When you install or uninstall fonts in Windows, the operating system's font security system (<code>fontdrvhost.exe</code>) takes control of those font files. Sometimes this system maintains a "lock" on font files even after FontPilot has completed its operation. When this happens, you'll see one of these symptoms:</p>
<ul>
<li>Unable to install a font (even though it appears to install)</li>
<li>Unable to uninstall a font (gets an "access denied" or "file in use" error)</li>
<li>Font changes don't take effect until after restart</li>
<li>FontPilot operations can appear to succeed but Windows doesn't reflect the changes (if FontPilot sees this is happening, we will give you a heads up)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Why Does Windows Do This?</h3>
<p>This behavior is actually protecting you from serious security threats. On Windows 8.1 and earlier versions, fonts were processed directly in the Windows kernel, making them a potential attack vector. Since Windows 10, fonts are processed in an isolated security container called fontdrvhost.exe.</p>
<p>Here's what changed and why:</p>
<p><strong>Before Windows 10:</strong> Fonts had direct access to the Windows kernel (the core of your operating system). This meant a malicious font could completely take over your computer.</p>
<p><strong>After Windows 10:</strong> Fonts are now processed in an isolated "sandbox" called an AppContainer. This protects your system, but occasionally causes the sandbox to maintain locks on font files.</p>
<h3>The Security Context</h3>
<p>Between 2015-2020, security researchers discovered multiple critical vulnerabilities in font handling:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>CVE-2020-0938 &#x26; CVE-2020-1020</strong>: Allowed attackers to escape browser sandboxes</li>
<li><strong>CVE-2020-1355</strong>: Remote code execution vulnerability in Windows Font Driver Host</li>
</ul>
<p>These weren't theoretical risks—Google's Project Zero found these vulnerabilities being actively exploited in real-world attacks. Microsoft's response was to completely redesign font handling with security as the top priority.</p>
<p>Please see the following disclosures:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://googleprojectzero.blogspot.com/2021/01/in-wild-series-windows-exploits.html?m=1">Google Project Zero / In-the-Wild Series: Windows Exploits</a></li>
<li><a href="https://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/en-us/advisory/CVE-2020-1355">CVE-2020-1355 / Microsoft</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/cve-2020-1355">CVE-2020-1355 / National Vulnerability Update</a></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>Why FontPilot's Approach is Actually Better</h2>
<h3>Registry-Based Installation (What FontPilot Uses)</h3>
<p>FontPilot uses the <strong>Windows Registry method</strong>—the same approach Windows itself uses internally. Here's why this is the superior choice:</p>
<p><strong>✅ Advantages:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Native Windows Integration</strong>: Works directly with Windows' font system</li>
<li><strong>Maximum Compatibility</strong>: All applications recognize the fonts properly</li>
<li><strong>Clean Uninstalls</strong>: Registry entries can be removed without residual files</li>
<li><strong>Proper Font Metadata</strong>: Windows correctly identifies font names, weights, and styles</li>
<li><strong>System-Level Recognition</strong>: Fonts appear in all font menus and applications</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>⚠️ Trade-off:</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Subject to Windows security locks (requiring occasional restarts)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Alternative Methods and Why They're Problematic</h3>
<p><strong>Symlink Method (used by other common font management apps)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Creates symbolic links to font files</li>
<li>❌ Links break when original files move</li>
<li>❌ Doesn't work with all applications</li>
<li>❌ Windows Updates can break symlinks</li>
<li>❌ Fonts may not appear in system font lists</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Adobe's Proprietary Method</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Uses Adobe-specific font activation</li>
<li>❌ Only works reliably with Adobe applications</li>
<li>❌ Requires Adobe services running constantly</li>
<li>❌ Consumes more system resources</li>
<li>❌ Not a system-wide solution</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Direct File Copying (Basic method)</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Simply copies fonts to the Fonts folder</li>
<li>❌ No proper registration</li>
<li>❌ Applications may not detect the fonts</li>
<li>❌ Can leave orphaned files</li>
<li>❌ No metadata management</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>Practical Workarounds</h2>
<h3>When You Encounter a Locked Font</h3>
<p>1 <strong>Wait and Retry</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Sometimes waiting 10-15 seconds and retrying works</li>
<li>The lock may release on its own</li>
</ul>
<ol start="2">
<li>
<p><strong>Close Font-Using Applications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>Close any applications that might be using fonts (design apps, browsers, Office)</li>
<li>Try the operation again</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Clear Font Cache</strong> (Advanced)</p>
<ul>
<li>Open Services (services.msc)</li>
<li>Stop "Windows Font Cache Service"</li>
<li>Navigate to <code>C:\Windows\ServiceProfiles\LocalService\AppData\Local\FontCache</code></li>
<li>Delete cache files</li>
<li>Restart the service</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<p><strong>Use Safe Mode</strong> (Last Resort)</p>
<ul>
<li>Restart Windows in Safe Mode</li>
<li>Fonts are less likely to be locked in Safe Mode</li>
<li>Perform your font operations</li>
<li>Restart normally</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<h3>Best Practices to Minimize Issues</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Install fonts in batches</strong> rather than one at a time</li>
<li><strong>Close design applications</strong> before installing/uninstalling fonts</li>
<li><strong>Avoid installing fonts from untrusted sources</strong> (this triggers more aggressive security checks)</li>
<li><strong>Schedule font management</strong> during natural restart times (e.g., end of workday)</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2>Frequently Asked Questions</h2>
<h3>Q: Is this a bug in FontPilot?</h3>
<p><strong>A:</strong> No, this is a Windows security feature. FontPilot correctly requests font operations through the proper Windows APIs. The lock occurs at the Windows system level, outside of FontPilot's control.</p>
<h3>Q: Will this be fixed in a future version?</h3>
<p><strong>A:</strong> Because this is a Windows security feature, not a bug, it cannot be "fixed" without compromising system security. We continue to explore workarounds that maintain security while improving user experience.</p>
<h3>Q: Why don't other font managers have this problem?</h3>
<p><strong>A:</strong> They do, or they use inferior methods:</p>
<ul>
<li>Apps using the registry method (like FontPilot) experience the same Windows locks</li>
<li>Apps using symlinks avoid locks but sacrifice compatibility and reliability</li>
<li>Apps that never experience locks likely aren't properly integrating with Windows</li>
</ul>
<h3>Q: Is my system at risk when fonts are locked?</h3>
<p><strong>A:</strong> No, the opposite is true. The lock indicates Windows security is actively protecting your system. The inconvenience is a side effect of this protection.</p>
<h3>Q: Can I disable this security feature?</h3>
<p><strong>A:</strong> We strongly recommend against attempting to disable Windows font security features. Doing so would expose your system to serious vulnerabilities that have been actively exploited in the wild.</p>
<hr>
<h2>The Bottom Line</h2>
<p>The occasional need to restart is frustrating, but it's a small price for protection against serious security threats. Font-based attacks have been used to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Steal sensitive data</li>
<li>Install malware</li>
<li>Take complete control of systems</li>
<li>Escape browser sandboxes</li>
</ul>
<p>FontPilot uses the most reliable, compatible method for font management. While this means we're subject to Windows security locks, it ensures your fonts work properly across all applications when they are installed.</p>
<p>We're continuously monitoring Windows updates and exploring ways to minimize these occurrences while maintaining the security and compatibility benefits our users expect.</p>
<hr>
<h2>Need More Help?</h2>
<p>If you're experiencing persistent issues beyond occasional locks:</p>
<ol>
<li><strong>Check our troubleshooting guide</strong> for specific error messages</li>
<li><strong>Contact support</strong> with your Windows version and specific symptoms</li>
<li><strong>Join our community forum</strong> to share experiences with other users</li>
</ol>
<p>Remember: A restart requirement is annoying but normal. Consistent failures or errors may indicate a different issue we can help resolve.</p>



## Keyboard Shortcuts

FontPilot currently has limited keyboard shortcut support:

| Shortcut | Action |
|----------|--------|
| Standard Windows shortcuts | Copy, Paste, Select All work in text fields |
| `Tab` / `Shift+Tab` | Navigate through interface elements |
| `Enter` | Submit / doubles as mouse left-click|

### Standard Selection
- `Ctrl+Click` - Select/deselect individual fonts
- `Shift+Click` - Select range of fonts
- `Ctrl+A` - Select all (in text fields only)

<h2>Keyboard Shortcuts</h2>
<p>FontPilot currently has limited keyboard shortcut support:</p>
<div class="table-wrapper"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Shortcut</th>
<th>Action</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Standard Windows shortcuts</td>
<td>Copy, Paste, Select All work in text fields</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><code>Tab</code> / <code>Shift+Tab</code></td>
<td>Navigate through interface elements</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><code>Enter</code></td>
<td>Submit / doubles as mouse left-click</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div>
<h3>Standard Selection</h3>
<ul>
<li><code>Ctrl+Click</code> - Select/deselect individual fonts</li>
<li><code>Shift+Click</code> - Select range of fonts</li>
<li><code>Ctrl+A</code> - Select all (in text fields only)</li>
</ul>


Shortcut	Action
Standard Windows shortcuts	Copy, Paste, Select All work in text fields
`Tab` / `Shift+Tab`	Navigate through interface elements
`Enter`	Submit / doubles as mouse left-click

FontPilot Documentation

Keyboard Shortcuts

Keyboard Shortcuts

Standard Selection