How to Change the Default System Font on Windows 10

Tired of seeing the same old Segoe UI font every time you open your computer? Windows 10 doesn’t make it easy to change the system font, but it’s totally doable—and it can give your desktop a fresh, personalized look. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process step by step.

⚠️ Important Note: This method involves editing the Windows Registry. If done incorrectly, it could affect your system stability. Back up your registry and create a system restore point before proceeding.

Step 1: Choose a New Font

Windows 10 supports many system fonts. Some common ones you can use include:

• Arial
• Calibri
• Comic Sans MS
• Courier New
• Georgia
• Segoe Print
• Times New Roman
• Verdana

Pick one you like and write down the exact name. You’ll need it later.

Step 2: Open Notepad and Create a Registry Script

Open Notepad and paste the following code, replacing NEW-FONT-NAME with the font you want to use:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
"Segoe UI"="NEW-FONT-NAME"

For example, to use Calibri, it would look like this:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Segoe UI (TrueType)"=""

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
"Segoe UI"="Calibri"

Step 3: Save the File as a .reg File

1. Click File > Save As.
2. In the “Save as type” dropdown, select All Files.
3. Name the file something like ChangeFont.reg.
4. Save it somewhere easy to find, like your Desktop.

Step 4: Apply the Font Change

1. Double-click the .reg file you just created.
2. Click Yes to allow it to make changes to your system.
3. Click OK to confirm.

Step 5: Restart Your Computer

After restarting, your new system font should be applied across the Windows interface—title bars, menus, message boxes, etc.

How to Revert to the Default Font

If you want to go back to the default Segoe UI font, create a new .reg file with this code:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Fonts]
"Segoe UI (TrueType)"="segoeui.ttf"

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\FontSubstitutes]
"Segoe UI"="Segoe UI"

Run it the same way, restart your PC, and everything will return to normal.

Also Using Windows 11?

If you’re on Windows 11 or plan to upgrade, check out our separate guide:
👉 How to Change the Default System Font on Windows 11

Final Thoughts

Changing your system font is a small tweak that can make a big difference in how your computer feels. Just make sure you’re careful when editing the registry. And if something goes wrong, you can always restore your backup or use a system restore point.

Got questions or ran into trouble? Drop a comment below—I’m here to help.